Link to Article: 20 People Dead in Sierra Leone’s Failed Coup Attempt
Sierra Leone has had a series of attacks on military and prison facilities due to a failed coup attempt in November of 2023. Due to the events that unfolded 13 military officers and one citizen were detained with 32 people wanted for connections with the coup. Statements from Sierra Leone president Julius Bio stated that “most of the leaders (of the coup)” had been detained. With banks and schools closed as well as a sunset to sunrise curfew it is said that the rest of the perpetrators will be found. Motivations for the coup stem from the recent Sierra Leone president election that had concerns shown by the U.S and EU. Bio was reelected and APC candidate Samura Kamara described the election as illegitimate. Coupled with the election, ties with the Ukraine Russia war, COVID-19 pandemic, and protests against rising food prices Sierra Leone looks to be in a highly dysfunctional state. Proven by the shooting in August. Police forces opened fire on a group of protesters leaving a stain on the reputation of the police force. Loss of life is high on a list of concerns for the Sierra Leone government.
Concerns from the Nigerian president Bola Tinubu have emerged. Tinubu is chair of the West Africa regional block Ecowas and is concerned with the “autocratic contagion” across the nation. He is reportedly working with African Union officials to find solutions to this widespread issue. In addition Sierra Leone is said to be in a state of calm after the coordinated attacks. With the importance of national wealth and prosperity obviously applying to the state of Sierra Leone it would be in their best interest to put a stop to the spearheaded violence and work for more long term solutions. It is recognized from outside sources such as Samura Kamara that the higher ups in the government may not be suitable for office. It feels like there is a coup every few months in this area of the continent. As much as it is a common occurrence it should be equally worked on to end it.
In an individual level of analysis it seems that a large part of the problem in the nation comes from the man who holds office and the way he obtained it. With a lack of transparency shared with the public about the polling information it has led to a lot of skepticism about the legitimacy of the election. Enforced further by how close the election was between Bio and oppositional party Samura Kamara. With voting tallies being disputed among people of the APC it seems that the major issues developed from a less than convincing election.