Protests against the high cost of living in Sierra Leone turned riot in Freetown on Wednesday August 10th. two policemen “were beaten to death by the demonstrators”, in the Kissy neighborhood in the east of the capital, police spokesman Brima Kamara told AFP.. A curfew from 3 p.m. to 6 a.m. (local) was announced by the country’s vice president, Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, who confirmed the death of “Innocent Sierra Leoneans, including members of the security forces”.
In the Kissy district, dozens of young demonstrators threw stones and sticks at the security forces, who responded by firing tear gas. Some of them called for the departure of the president, chanting “Organic must go”in reference to President Julius Maada Bio, in power since 2018. He is currently in the United Kingdom on a private visit.
A “peaceful” initiative that turned into a riot
The initiative for the protest came from a group of women traders, The Grassroots Women of Salone, who convened a “peaceful gathering” for “to draw attention to the economic difficulties and the many problems that affect the women of Sierra Leone”according to a letter addressed to the Inspector General of Police and consulted by AFP.
“Some selfish Sierra Leoneans have escalated the call for violence and the forcible overthrow of the legitimate government”said the vice-president on state television. “These unscrupulous individuals embarked on a violent and unauthorized protest, which resulted in the deaths of innocent Sierra Leoneans, including members of the security forces”he added.