On 31 July 2023, Sierra Leonean authorities detained an undetermined number of soldiers and civilians who were allegedly planning a coup in
Sierra Leone between 7 and 10 August against the government of
Julius Maada Bio. While not explicitly using the term "coup," the police expressed their concern that despite ongoing endeavors to solidify the achieved peace and democratic progress, specific individuals persist in engaging in actions intended to disrupt the harmony and serenity of the nation. On 8 August, it was confirmed that the police arrested 19 people, including fourteen serving personnel of the
Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces, two officers of the
Sierra Leone Police, one retired chief superintendent of police and two other people, all of them accused of "state subversion".
In addition, five military officers and three police officers were issued with a search and capture warrant.
The arrested retired chief superintendent, identified as Mohamed Yetey Turay, was detained between 5 and 6 August in
Liberia
Liberia (), officially the Republic of Liberia, is a country on the West African coast. It is bordered by Sierra Leone to Liberia–Sierra Leone border, its northwest, Guinea to its north, Ivory Coast to its east, and the Atlantic Ocean ...
, at the request of the Sierra Leone government.
An extradition was granted. The fourteen armed forces officers arrested turned out to be eight middle-level officers and six
non-commissioned officers, without revealing the specific ranks.
The fact that the government did not give more names of those arrested or their ranks led critics of Bio's government to conclude that there was no plot and that it was an excuse to repress the opposition, who rejected the electoral results in
the past elections denouncing irregularities and violations of the electoral process.
On 15 August, police revealed the names and faces of 9 people, including military and police personnel and civilians, wanted for "Conspiracy to Commit Felony to wit, Subversion."
2023 Sierra Leone Military Barracks Attack
On November 26, 2023, unidentified gunmen attacked the central prison in Freetown, along with the presidential palace and an armory. A smaller attack occurred in
Murray Town, where the Sierra Leonean navy is located.
Julius Maada Bio declared a national curfew, and later thirteen officials were arrested in the attempted coup.
See also
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Coup Belt
The Coup Belt (french: la ceinture de coups d'État) is a modern geopolitical concept and neologism which emerged during the 2020s to describe the region of West Africa, Central Africa and the Sahel that is home to countries with a List of coups ...
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1992 Sierra Leonean coup d'état
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List of coups and coup attempts
A coup d'état, often abbreviated to ''coup'', is the overthrow of a lawful government through illegal means. If force or violence are not involved, such an event is sometimes called a soft or bloodless coup. In another variation, a ruler wh ...
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List of coups and coup attempts since 2010
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2022 Democratic Republic of the Congo coup d'état allegations
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2023 Nigerien coup d'état
On 26 July 2023, a coup d'état occurred in Niger when the country's presidential guard detained President Mohamed Bazoum, and Presidential Guard commander General officer, General Abdourahamane Tchiani proclaimed himself the leader of a new mili ...
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2023 Gabonese coup d'état
On 30 August 2023, a coup d'état occurred in Gabon shortly after the announcement that incumbent president Ali Bongo Ondimba had won the general election held on 26 August.
Even though Nguema is a part of the Bongo family, a cousin of Ali Bon ...
References
2023 in Sierra Leone
Attempted coups in Sierra Leone
2020s coups d'état and coup attempts
July 2023 events in Sierra Leone
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