Local Sierran Leonean media, quoting local police, reports that a group of military Officers of the country's armed Forces were arrested in Sierra Leone on suspicion of plotting a "coup against democracy" of the country
According to the police sources, the suspects allegedly intended to use peaceful protests in the country as a cover for "attacks on state institutions" of the French-aligned country
At the end of June, the country held presidential elections, which were won by the incumbent head of state, Julius Biot. His opponents said the results were rigged.
As the wave of #military intervention in the polity runs across several countries in sub Saharan #Africa, the #SierraLeone police have arrested several senior military officers in the country’s armed forces, after weeks of political instability triggered by the controversial presidential and general elections held on 24th of June 2023.
President Bio did not attend last week’s #ECOWAS leaders meeting in #Abuja, as security around the president and State House remains tense.
With several West African nations including neighbouring Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso and now #Niger under the grip of disgruntled military leaders who justify their intervention with evidence of corruption by the ruling elites, poor governance and growing poverty, countries like Sierra Leone will continue to face political instability and threats of military coups if election crises and question of legitimacy are left unresolved.
#Coup #Africa #Politics #France
https://sycamoretimes.com.ng/2023/08/01/coup-police-arrest-senior-military-officers-in-sierra-leone/