An attempted coup in the capital city of Sierra Leone was thwarted in the early hours of yesterday, resulting in heavy gunfire and widespread chaos.
The military arsenal base was breached and looted, and a fierce exchange of gunfire ensued between the coup plotters and government forces.
Confirming the incident, President Julius Maada Bio, in a release declared a nationwide curfew as the military continues to search for the perpetrators.
Another statement by the Minister of Information and Civic Education of Sierra Leone, Chernor Bah, said some unidentified individuals carried out the attack. We strongly advise citizens to stay indoors, Bah stated.
Meanwhile, the United States Embassy in Sierra Leone has condemned the attempted putsch.
In a tweet yesterday, the embassy expressed strong disapproval of the action and called for cooperation with government security forces. The embassy also emphasised the importance of adhering to the Governments curfew guidelines for personal safety.
The United States, through its embassy in the country, affirmed its support for a peaceful, democratic, and prosperous Sierra Leone.
