The African Union Commission has called for ‘constructive dialogue’ in Sierra Leone following the recent violence in Sierra Leone’s capital, Freetown.
At least two police officers and one civilian died on 10 August, 2022, after anti-government protests.
The government of Sierra Leone previously said there had been deaths, but did not say how many, as protesters threw rocks and burnt tyres in the streets out of frustration at worsening economic hardship and other issues.
Verified videos on social media show large crowds of young men throwing rocks on a street filled with whitish smoke.
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, condemned the acts of violence, and urged all stakeholders to refrain from further violence.
‘The chairperson condemns the acts of violence, and urges all stakeholders to refrain from further violence and engage in constructive dialogue, within the parameters of the democratic process, to maintain the stability that Sierra Leone has enjoyed since the end of civil war in 2002’, said in a statement.
‘The chairperson reaffirms the AU’s commitment to accompany the government and people of Sierra Leone in the restoration of normalcy’.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) also condemned the violence, calling for the perpetrators of the violence to be brought to justice, in accordance with the law.
In a video address, Vice President Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh described the protesters as ‘unscrupulous individuals’.
‘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’, Jalloh said.
Sierra Leone, it is understood, has been struggling with rising inflation and a fuel crisis. A section of women in the capital had taken to the streets on 04 July, 2022, to protest the harsh economic conditions.
Photo source: CNN
