Sierra Leone Imposes Nationwide Curfew, Admits Armed Attempt To Oust Govt

• Bah said the nation’s security forces were able to curtail the situation before it spiralled into a monumental crisis.
• On November 26th, 2023, unidentified individuals attempted to break into the military armoury at Wilberforce barracks in the early hours.

Following an attempted break-in at Wilberforce Barracks by “some unidentified individuals,” the government of Sierra Leone has implemented a statewide curfew.

The country’s minister of communications and civic education, Chernor Bah, released a statement saying that early on Sunday morning, armed people stormed the barracks that hold a number of foreign embassies, including those from China, Germany, Austria, the Gambia, Lebanon, and Syria.

According to Bah, the issue was managed by the country’s security forces before it became a serious crisis.

“In the early hours of Sunday, November 26th 2023, some unidentified individuals attempted to break into the military armoury at Wilberforce barracks,” the statement reads.

“They have all been rebuffed. The public is assured that the government and our state security forces are in control.

“To enable the security forces to continue the process of apprehending the suspects, a nationwide curfew is declared with immediate effect across the country.”