Following widespread protests in several locations throughout the Northern region of the country, including parts of Freetown, a nationwide curfew has been imposed in Sierra Leone.
When demonstrators demanded the president step down due to “economic hardship,” there were skirmishes that resulted in the deaths of two police officers on Wednesday.
Police reported that dozens of protesters had been detained.
At least dozens of people had been hurt, according to a hospital employee in Freetown.
An AFP correspondent observed protesters throwing rocks and sticks at security personnel as they shot tear gas in their way in the Kissy neighborhood in the city’s eastern section.
According to many protesters who spoke to AFP, security officers also used live ammunition.
⚠️ Confirmed: Real-time network data show that #SierraLeone is in the midst of a near-total internet shutdown amid anti-government protests in #Freetown; metrics indicate national connectivity at 5% of ordinary levels; incident ongoing 📵
📰 Report: https://t.co/i33uW9Cq85 pic.twitter.com/k0Xg73cq2k
— NetBlocks (@netblocks) August 10, 2022
In reference to President Julius Maada Bio, who is currently on a private visit in the United Kingdom, protesters were heard yelling, “Bio must go.”
On Wednesday afternoon, Freetown experienced a brief internet outage, according to web monitoring company NetBlocks.
Additionally, protests were organized in the country’s Northern Province in the towns of Magburuka and Makeni.
According to a press release from the security sector dated August 6, 2022, they monitored inciting social media posts encouraging people to participate in public demonstrations, but no group sought permission to hold such events, warning against any planned demonstration and urging people to carry on as usual.
The Vice President claims that some “Self Serving Sierra Leoneans” have attempted to undermine President Julius Maada Bio’s lawful government in his address to the country.
“The government reiterates its dedication to upholding law and order, which includes defending the rights of the general populace. This instruction may be completely enforced by the security sector “Vice President Jalloh says.
