Sierra Leonean authorities have taken a significant step in the ongoing investigation of the recent violent clashes in the capital city of Freetown. The police force has released the identities and photographs of 34 individuals, comprising both men and women, who are currently wanted in connection with the unrest that resulted in approximately 20 casualties on Sunday.
The list of “fugitives” encompasses 32 men and 2 women, with among them both current and former military personnel, police officers, and civilians. In a post made across various social media platforms, the police have offered a substantial reward for any valuable information leading to their arrest and subsequent prosecution.
The violent confrontation on Sunday saw armed confrontations between security forces and unidentified attackers, who attempted to breach a military armoury. This brazen act also precipitated the storming of the central prison and other correctional facilities, facilitating the escape of numerous inmates.
As per reports from military and forensic sources, the clashes resulted in the tragic loss of approximately twenty lives. The army spokesperson has attributed the orchestration of these events to active or retired military personnel. Nevertheless, the motives and aims of the perpetrators are yet to be officially articulated.
The occurrence of these violent events has unavoidably reignited concerns about the potential for a coup d’état in West Africa. Notably, the sub-region has witnessed a series of coups in member countries of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) since 2020, including Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Guinea.
These recent developments highlight the volatility of the political landscape across West Africa, prompting heightened vigilance from both the public and authorities alike.
Africanews/Hauwa M.
