At least five police officers and six civilians were dead after a day of anti-government protests in Sierra Leone on Wednesday, August 10, 2022, a senior government official said Thursday.
Professor David Francis, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, told diplomats in Freetown that police stations and government property were vandalised during the protests by people he described as ‘terrorists’.
Hundreds of protesters took to the streets of Freetown, Makeni, Kamawie and Magburaka, protesting high commodity prices and the rising cost of living, according to people we spoke to.
The protests grew violent in some areas.
Graphic images and video of dead and seriously injured protesters and police officers could be seen on social media. Security forces were also seen firing teargas cannister at citizens.
President Julius Maada Bio, who was out of the country, twitted: “As a government we have the responsibility to protect every citizens of Sierra Leone. What happened today was unfortunate and will be fully investigated. I urged all Sierra Leoneans to be calm.”
Vice President Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh declared a nationwide curfew on Wednesday. During a televised speech announcing the curfew, Jalloh said “These unscrupulous individuals have embarked on a violent and unauthorized protests which has led to the loss of lives of innocent Sierra Leoneans including security personnel.”
Earlier, the country experienced a nationwide disruption to internet service from several providers.
By Alusine Sesay