Sierra Leone’s government disclosed on Monday that an additional 43 individuals have been arrested in connection with the attempted coup on November 26, elevating the total number of arrests to 57, primarily comprising military personnel.
Previously, as of November 28, 14 individuals had been apprehended, consisting of 13 soldiers and one civilian in relation to the coup attempt.
Deputy Information Minister Yusuf Keketoma Sandi announced on state radio that the latest arrests, totaling 43, occurred over the past weekend. However, specific details regarding the circumstances and locations of these apprehensions were not provided.
Among the arrested individuals are 37 soldiers, 10 civilians, four former army personnel, as well as five serving and one retired police officers. Notably, the identities of the coup’s leaders have not been disclosed.
President Julius Maada Bio pledged a measured response, emphasizing adherence to legal protocols in addressing the events that transpired during the attempted coup.
The November 26 incident involved assailants attacking a military arsenal, two barracks, two prisons, and two police stations, engaging in armed confrontations with security forces. The clashes resulted in the loss of 21 lives, comprising 14 soldiers, a police officer, a prison guard, a security personnel, a woman, and three assailants, according to Information Mi壯陽藥 nister Chernor Bah.
The recent spate of coups within the West African region, witnessed in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Guinea since 2020, has heightened concerns. Additionally, Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embalo highlighted an “attempted coup d’état” following clashes between security force units during the night from Thursday to Friday.