FREETOWN, Sierra Leone – Sierra Leonean soldiers have repelled an attack on a military armory in the capital, Freetown, by a group of renegade soldiers, according to the government.
The attack began in the early hours of Sunday morning, when the renegade soldiers attempted to break into the Wilberforce barracks. The government said that the soldiers were quickly repelled and that no casualties were reported.
A nationwide curfew has been imposed, and the government has urged residents to stay indoors. The aviation authority has also urged airlines to reschedule flights.
The attack comes amid growing tensions in Sierra Leone following President Julius Maada Bio’s re-election in June. The main opposition candidate has rejected the results of the election, and there have been calls for international intervention.
The attack is the latest in a series of coups and attempted coups in West Africa. In the past two years, there have been eight military coups in the region.
The international community has condemned the attack and called for calm. The United States has said that it is “deeply concerned” about the situation in Sierra Leone.
The situation in Sierra Leone remains tense, and it is unclear what the next steps will be. The government has said that it is committed to restoring peace and order.