Two police officers and a civilian have been confirmed
dead in the anti-government protests in Sierra Leone’s capital, Freetown.
This development was made known by members of staff of
the city’s main mortuary where the dead bodies were brought.
In addition to that, another civilian body was seen on
a street in eastern Freetown.
Videos on social media verified by Reuters showed
large crowds of protesters and piles of burning tyres in parts of the capital,
Freetown.
Other footage showed a group of young men throwing
rocks on a street filled with whitish smoke out of frustration at worsening
economic hardship and other issues.
AFRICUNIA
TV gathered that in view of this protest, Sierra Leone,
which has been struggling with rising inflation and a fuel crisis, imposed a
nationwide curfew from 3 p.m. local time (1500 GMT) in a bid to stem the
violence.
President of the West African country, Julius Maada Bio, on Twitter referred
to the protest an unfortunate and assured Sierra Leoneans that proper
investigation would be carried out.
He tweeted, “As a government,
we have the responsibility to protect every citizen of Sierra Leone. What
happened today was unfortunate and will be fully investigated.”
A university undergraduate who spoke with newsmen on
the protest said, “People are upset about the country’s justice system which is
sickening, daily price rises and economic hardship.
“The violence started at around 10:30 a.m. local time when
I saw clouds of tear gas rising up outside my dormitory room.”
In a video address, the Vice President, Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, said, “These
unscrupulous individuals have embarked on a violent and unauthorised protest
which has led to the loss of lives of innocent Sierra Leoneans, including
security personnel.
“The government hereby declares a nationwide curfew. The
security sector has been authorised to fully enforce this directive.”
AFRICUNIA
TV learnt that discontent has been boiling over for a
number of reasons, including a perceived lack of government support for ordinary
people who are struggling.
A constitutional lawyer and governance activist, Augustine Sorie-Sengbe Marrah, told
newsmen that there had been little empathy from the central government to
encourage folks in this tough economic times.
According to the World Bank, long-standing frustration
has also been inflamed by rising prices for basic goods in Sierra Leone where
more than half the population of around 8 million lives below the poverty line.
Source: AFRICUNIA TV
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