There were fears of an attempted coup in Sierra Leone on Sunday after gunmen attacked a military armoury in the country’s capital, Freetown.
Development Diaries reports that the government of Sierra Leone declared a nationwide curfew following the attack, although there are reports that the curfew has been lifted for now.
Although President Julius Bio carefully avoided calling the attacks an attempted coup, he described the fighting as a ‘breach of security’ and an attack on democracy.
Coups and coup attempts in Africa should be categorically rejected, mainly because of the significance of maintaining democratic norms.
Democracy offers a foundation for inclusive governance through emphasising representation, the rule of law, and respect for human rights.
Coups, however, disrupt this framework by replacing elected leaders with military regimes, often resulting in the erosion of civil liberties and suppression of political opposition.
Moreover, democratic institutions play a crucial role in maintaining stability. Courts, legislatures, and executive bodies collectively contribute to a system of checks and balances that prevent the abuse of power.
Coups undermine these institutions, creating a power vacuum and often leading to an extended period of political uncertainty.
Furthermore, coups can have severe economic consequences for African countries, as investors, both domestic and foreign, are generally averse to political instability.
Development Diaries calls on the government of Sierra Leone to ensure good governance for the people of the country to avoid creating an atmosphere that could breed coupists.
We also call on the people of Sierra Leone to reject the urge to interrupt the democratic process in the country and seek better ways to demand good governance.
Photo source: AFP
