🇸🇱 Sierra Leone declares nationwide curfew after attack on barracks
Sierra Leone has declared a nationwide curfew after unidentified gunmen attacked a military barracks and attempted to break into an armoury in the capital, Freetown, the government said.
The government said in a statement that the security forces were in control of the situation.
"In the early hours of Sunday, some unidentified individuals attempted to break into the military armoury at the Wilberforce barracks. The have been rebuffed," information minister Chernor Bah said.
"A nationwide curfew has been declared with immediate effect across the country. We strongly advise citizens to stay indoors," the statement added.
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Sierra Leone has declared a nationwide curfew after unidentified gunmen attacked a military barracks and attempted to break into an armoury in the capital, Freetown, the government said.
The government said in a statement that the security forces were in control of the situation.
"In the early hours of Sunday, some unidentified individuals attempted to break into the military armoury at the Wilberforce barracks. The have been rebuffed," information minister Chernor Bah said.
"A nationwide curfew has been declared with immediate effect across the country. We strongly advise citizens to stay indoors," the statement added.
#SierraLeone
@africaintel
Africa Intel
🇸🇱 Sierra Leone declares nationwide curfew after attack on barracks Sierra Leone has declared a nationwide curfew after unidentified gunmen attacked a military barracks and attempted to break into an armoury in the capital, Freetown, the government said.…
🇸🇱 Sierra Leone aviation authority urge airlines to reschedule flights
Sierra Leone's civil aviation authority on Sunday urged airlines reschedule flights after a nationwide curfew imposed by the government in response to an attack on a military barracks by unidentified gunmen.
The aviation authority said in a statement that passengers should be placed on the next available flights after the curfew is lifted. It added that the country's airspace remains open.
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Sierra Leone's civil aviation authority on Sunday urged airlines reschedule flights after a nationwide curfew imposed by the government in response to an attack on a military barracks by unidentified gunmen.
The aviation authority said in a statement that passengers should be placed on the next available flights after the curfew is lifted. It added that the country's airspace remains open.
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🇸🇱 Sierra Leone lifts indefinite curfew
Sierra Leone has lifted an indefinite nationwide curfew imposed on Sunday after armed men attacked a military barrack and prisons in Freetown.
President Julius Maada Bio addressed the nation, saying most of the leaders of Sunday's unrest had been arrested and will be held accountable.
Calm has been restored, he added.
Bio described the events as an attack on democracy, but did not name the perpetrators.
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Sierra Leone has lifted an indefinite nationwide curfew imposed on Sunday after armed men attacked a military barrack and prisons in Freetown.
President Julius Maada Bio addressed the nation, saying most of the leaders of Sunday's unrest had been arrested and will be held accountable.
Calm has been restored, he added.
Bio described the events as an attack on democracy, but did not name the perpetrators.
#SierraLeone
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🇸🇱 Sierra Leone prison breaks were co-ordinated said the minister
Gunmen in Sierra Leone attacked a military barracks and freed hundreds of prisoners in a "co-ordinated and properly planned" attack, the country's information minister has said.
The attack was a "very serious breach", Information Minister Chernoh Bah said.
"These were co-ordinated and properly planned attacks on the security and wellbeing of our state," he told the BBC's Newsday programme on Monday morning, after the curfew had been lifted.
Bah said current and former military officials were among those involved, some of whom have been detained by security forces.
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Gunmen in Sierra Leone attacked a military barracks and freed hundreds of prisoners in a "co-ordinated and properly planned" attack, the country's information minister has said.
The attack was a "very serious breach", Information Minister Chernoh Bah said.
"These were co-ordinated and properly planned attacks on the security and wellbeing of our state," he told the BBC's Newsday programme on Monday morning, after the curfew had been lifted.
Bah said current and former military officials were among those involved, some of whom have been detained by security forces.
#SierraLeone
@africaintel
🇸🇱 Unrest in Sierra Leone was coup attempt said the government
The government of Sierra Leone has designated Sunday’s unrest as a failed coup attempt.
It's the first time the authorities are acknowledging that the co-ordinated attack on barracks and prisons in the capital were an attempted military takeover.
Sierra Leonean Information Minister Chernor Bah called Sunday’s violence an attempt to illegally subvert and overthrow the elected government of Sierra Leone.
On Tuesday morning, shots were fired in the Murray Town neighbourhood of Freetown.
Police say the gunshots were part of an operation to apprehend some of the perpetrators of Sunday's attack. They added that a person of interest had been detained.
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The government of Sierra Leone has designated Sunday’s unrest as a failed coup attempt.
It's the first time the authorities are acknowledging that the co-ordinated attack on barracks and prisons in the capital were an attempted military takeover.
Sierra Leonean Information Minister Chernor Bah called Sunday’s violence an attempt to illegally subvert and overthrow the elected government of Sierra Leone.
On Tuesday morning, shots were fired in the Murray Town neighbourhood of Freetown.
Police say the gunshots were part of an operation to apprehend some of the perpetrators of Sunday's attack. They added that a person of interest had been detained.
#SierraLeone
@africaintel
🇸🇱🇳🇬 ECOWAS and Nigeria are ready “to deploy elements” in Sierra Leone “if need be”
A delegation from the ECOWAS Commission and the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, traveled to visit the Sierra Leone's president.
The head of the Ecowas Commission, Omar Alieu Touray, conveyed to President Julius Maada Bio the message of the chair of the 15-regional bloc Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
"ECOWAS is ready and committed to supporting the people of Sierra Leone, including to strengthen their national security and the deployment, if need be, of regional elements," Touray said.
The national security advisor to the Ecowas' chair hailed the leadership of Bio and his government in stopping what he called a "very unfortunate incident."
#ECOWAS #SierraLeone #Nigeria
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A delegation from the ECOWAS Commission and the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, traveled to visit the Sierra Leone's president.
The head of the Ecowas Commission, Omar Alieu Touray, conveyed to President Julius Maada Bio the message of the chair of the 15-regional bloc Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
"ECOWAS is ready and committed to supporting the people of Sierra Leone, including to strengthen their national security and the deployment, if need be, of regional elements," Touray said.
The national security advisor to the Ecowas' chair hailed the leadership of Bio and his government in stopping what he called a "very unfortunate incident."
#ECOWAS #SierraLeone #Nigeria
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Africa Intel
🇸🇱 Unrest in Sierra Leone was coup attempt said the government The government of Sierra Leone has designated Sunday’s unrest as a failed coup attempt. It's the first time the authorities are acknowledging that the co-ordinated attack on barracks and prisons…
🇸🇱 57 arrests after attempted coup in Sierra Leone
The Sierra Leonean government announced 43 new arrests in connection with the November 26 coup attempt, bringing to 57 the number of people arrested since these events, the vast majority of them military personnel.
The latest figures published, on November 28, showed 14 people arrested, including 13 soldiers and one civilian.
These 57 people are 37 soldiers, 10 civilians, four soldiers dismissed from the army, five active police officers and one retired, detailed the deputy minister in charge of Information, Yusuf Keketoma Sandi. The names of the leaders of the coup have not been disclosed.
Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio promised on Saturday that the response to the events would be dictated by "respect for the law".
#SierraLeone
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The Sierra Leonean government announced 43 new arrests in connection with the November 26 coup attempt, bringing to 57 the number of people arrested since these events, the vast majority of them military personnel.
The latest figures published, on November 28, showed 14 people arrested, including 13 soldiers and one civilian.
These 57 people are 37 soldiers, 10 civilians, four soldiers dismissed from the army, five active police officers and one retired, detailed the deputy minister in charge of Information, Yusuf Keketoma Sandi. The names of the leaders of the coup have not been disclosed.
Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio promised on Saturday that the response to the events would be dictated by "respect for the law".
#SierraLeone
@africaintel
Africa Intel
🇸🇱 57 arrests after attempted coup in Sierra Leone The Sierra Leonean government announced 43 new arrests in connection with the November 26 coup attempt, bringing to 57 the number of people arrested since these events, the vast majority of them military…
🇸🇱 Sierra Leone arrests ex-president's guard over foiled coup
Authorities in Sierra Leone have arrested a bodyguard of former president Ernest Bai Koroma, over links to last month's foiled coup.
Amadu Koita, an ex-soldier, was arrested on Monday alongside two police officers who were harbouring him, Sierra Leone's Information Minister.
He added that Koita "was at the top of the wanted list".
The arrest of Koita and his accomplices brings the total number of arrests over the coup attempt to 60.
#SierraLeone
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Authorities in Sierra Leone have arrested a bodyguard of former president Ernest Bai Koroma, over links to last month's foiled coup.
Amadu Koita, an ex-soldier, was arrested on Monday alongside two police officers who were harbouring him, Sierra Leone's Information Minister.
He added that Koita "was at the top of the wanted list".
The arrest of Koita and his accomplices brings the total number of arrests over the coup attempt to 60.
#SierraLeone
@africaintel
Africa Intel
🇸🇱 57 arrests after attempted coup in Sierra Leone The Sierra Leonean government announced 43 new arrests in connection with the November 26 coup attempt, bringing to 57 the number of people arrested since these events, the vast majority of them military…
🇸🇱 Sierra Leone ex-president Koroma summoned for questioning over failed coup
Sierra Leone police have summoned former president Ernest Bai Koroma for questioning as part of their investigation into a failed coup attempt on Nov. 26, information minister Chernor Bah said in a statement on Thursday.
Koroma is invited to report to the headquarters of the Criminal Investigations Department in Freetown within 24 hours, the statement said. Koroma said he would honour the invitation.
"I maintain an open mind and stand ready to support the police investigations to the fullest. Let the rule of law reign supreme in our democracy", Koroma said.
So far 71 people have been arrested in the context of the ongoing investigation, including 45 serving military officers, seven serving police officers and 13 civilians.
#SierraLeone
@africaintel
Sierra Leone police have summoned former president Ernest Bai Koroma for questioning as part of their investigation into a failed coup attempt on Nov. 26, information minister Chernor Bah said in a statement on Thursday.
Koroma is invited to report to the headquarters of the Criminal Investigations Department in Freetown within 24 hours, the statement said. Koroma said he would honour the invitation.
"I maintain an open mind and stand ready to support the police investigations to the fullest. Let the rule of law reign supreme in our democracy", Koroma said.
So far 71 people have been arrested in the context of the ongoing investigation, including 45 serving military officers, seven serving police officers and 13 civilians.
#SierraLeone
@africaintel
Africa Intel
🇸🇱 Sierra Leone ex-president Koroma summoned for questioning over failed coup Sierra Leone police have summoned former president Ernest Bai Koroma for questioning as part of their investigation into a failed coup attempt on Nov. 26, information minister Chernor…
🇸🇱 Sierra Leone ex-president is a suspect in coup attempt
Former Sierra Leone President Ernest Bai Koroma has been declared a suspect in the ongoing investigation over last month's attempted coup.
Koroma, who was granted bail on Saturday, has been on house arrest with restricted movements.
Inspector General of Police William Fayia Sellu said that Koroma is not in police custody as the police are “giving him the respect he needs for now”.
“That does not mean he is above the law," Sellu added.
He said that 80 suspects were in police custody, among them serving and dismissed military officers, serving and retired police officers, civilians and a correctional service officer.
Koroma's daughter has also been named among the other 54 suspects declared wanted in an updated list the police released on Tuesday as investigation continues.
#SierraLeone
@africaintel
Former Sierra Leone President Ernest Bai Koroma has been declared a suspect in the ongoing investigation over last month's attempted coup.
Koroma, who was granted bail on Saturday, has been on house arrest with restricted movements.
Inspector General of Police William Fayia Sellu said that Koroma is not in police custody as the police are “giving him the respect he needs for now”.
“That does not mean he is above the law," Sellu added.
He said that 80 suspects were in police custody, among them serving and dismissed military officers, serving and retired police officers, civilians and a correctional service officer.
Koroma's daughter has also been named among the other 54 suspects declared wanted in an updated list the police released on Tuesday as investigation continues.
#SierraLeone
@africaintel
🇸🇱 Sierra Leone charges ex-president's guard, 11 others over failed coup
Sierra Leone authorities have charged 12 people with treason in connection with a failed coup in November, including a member of former President Ernest Bai Koroma's security detail, the government said.
Gunmen attacked a military barracks, a prison and other locations in Sierra Leone on November 26, freeing about 2,200 inmates and killing more than 20 people in what the authorities said afterwards was an attempt to overthrow the government.
The accused were arraigned before a magistrate in the capital Freetown on Tuesday, the information ministry said, adding that they included ex-police and correctional officers and former Koroma bodyguard Amadu Koita. Other suspects "are expected to be charged in the coming days", he added.
The suspects are facing several charges, including treason, concealing treason and "harbouring, aiding and abetting the enemy".
#SierraLeone
@africaintel
Sierra Leone authorities have charged 12 people with treason in connection with a failed coup in November, including a member of former President Ernest Bai Koroma's security detail, the government said.
Gunmen attacked a military barracks, a prison and other locations in Sierra Leone on November 26, freeing about 2,200 inmates and killing more than 20 people in what the authorities said afterwards was an attempt to overthrow the government.
The accused were arraigned before a magistrate in the capital Freetown on Tuesday, the information ministry said, adding that they included ex-police and correctional officers and former Koroma bodyguard Amadu Koita. Other suspects "are expected to be charged in the coming days", he added.
The suspects are facing several charges, including treason, concealing treason and "harbouring, aiding and abetting the enemy".
#SierraLeone
@africaintel
Africa Intel
🇸🇱 Sierra Leone charges ex-president's guard, 11 others over failed coup Sierra Leone authorities have charged 12 people with treason in connection with a failed coup in November, including a member of former President Ernest Bai Koroma's security detail…
🇸🇱 Sierra Leone charges ex-president Koroma with treason over foiled coup
Sierra Leone's ex-President Ernest Bai Koroma has been charged with four offences including treason for his alleged role in a failed military attempt to topple the country's government in November.
The court's decision could escalate tensions in Sierra Leone coming after the attempted coup and a contentious election in which President Julius Maada Bio was reelected for a second term in June 2023.
"A dangerous precedent has been set. We are dragging a former head of state - democratically elected - on trumped up charges under a political vendetta," Koroma’s lawyer told.
A high court later on Wednesday granted bail to the former president, who is currently restricted at his home in the capital. The case was adjourned until January 17.
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Sierra Leone's ex-President Ernest Bai Koroma has been charged with four offences including treason for his alleged role in a failed military attempt to topple the country's government in November.
The court's decision could escalate tensions in Sierra Leone coming after the attempted coup and a contentious election in which President Julius Maada Bio was reelected for a second term in June 2023.
"A dangerous precedent has been set. We are dragging a former head of state - democratically elected - on trumped up charges under a political vendetta," Koroma’s lawyer told.
A high court later on Wednesday granted bail to the former president, who is currently restricted at his home in the capital. The case was adjourned until January 17.
#SierraLeone
@africaintel
🇸🇱 Sierra Leone charges 27 soldiers over foiled coup attempt
A court in Sierra Leone has charged 27 soldiers with multiple offences over an alleged coup attempt.
"The charges include mutiny, failure to suppress mutiny, murder, aiding the enemy, communicating with the enemy and other relevant offences," the defence ministry said.
Last week, in connection with the same incident, former President Ernest Bai Koroma was charged with treason. He denied any involvement.
The authorities are also prosecuting one of Koroma's former presidential bodyguards alongside 11 former police and correctional officers.
Pre-trial proceedings against the 27 soldiers began in a court in the capital, Freetown, on Monday. The trial was adjourned to Wednesday.
#SierraLeone
@africaintel
A court in Sierra Leone has charged 27 soldiers with multiple offences over an alleged coup attempt.
"The charges include mutiny, failure to suppress mutiny, murder, aiding the enemy, communicating with the enemy and other relevant offences," the defence ministry said.
Last week, in connection with the same incident, former President Ernest Bai Koroma was charged with treason. He denied any involvement.
The authorities are also prosecuting one of Koroma's former presidential bodyguards alongside 11 former police and correctional officers.
Pre-trial proceedings against the 27 soldiers began in a court in the capital, Freetown, on Monday. The trial was adjourned to Wednesday.
#SierraLeone
@africaintel
🇸🇱 Sierra Leone allows ex-president Koroma to leave country on medical grounds
A former Sierra Leonean president has been granted permission to travel abroad on medical grounds despite facing treason charges.
The High Court ruling comes amid speculation that Ernest Bai Koroma has agreed to go into exile in Nigeria if charges against him were dropped.
He was accused of treason and other offences over a failed coup last November, in which some 20 people died.
Koroma, who ruled between 2007 and 2018, denies these allegations.
A court order says that Koroma is allowed to travel to Nigeria for medical reasons.
Anonymous sources from the United Nations and Ecowas told the BBC that Ecowas had brokered a deal for Mr Koroma to go into exile in Nigeria if the charges were dropped.
#SierraLeone
@africaintel
A former Sierra Leonean president has been granted permission to travel abroad on medical grounds despite facing treason charges.
The High Court ruling comes amid speculation that Ernest Bai Koroma has agreed to go into exile in Nigeria if charges against him were dropped.
He was accused of treason and other offences over a failed coup last November, in which some 20 people died.
Koroma, who ruled between 2007 and 2018, denies these allegations.
A court order says that Koroma is allowed to travel to Nigeria for medical reasons.
Anonymous sources from the United Nations and Ecowas told the BBC that Ecowas had brokered a deal for Mr Koroma to go into exile in Nigeria if the charges were dropped.
#SierraLeone
@africaintel
Africa Intel
🇸🇱 Sierra Leone allows ex-president Koroma to leave country on medical grounds A former Sierra Leonean president has been granted permission to travel abroad on medical grounds despite facing treason charges. The High Court ruling comes amid speculation…
🇸🇱 Sierra Leone ex-president flies to Nigeria for medical care
Sierra Leone's former president is headed to Nigeria for medical treatment despite being due to stand trial for his alleged role in a coup attempt last year.
Ernest Bai Koroma was given permission to leave by the High Court on Wednesday for a maximum of three months. But it is widely believed that a deal has been reached allowing him to go into exile.
His treason trial is due to start in March.
Bai Koroma led Sierra Leone for 11 years until 2018, when current President Julius Maada Bio was elected.
A Nigerian presidential jet carrying the former president was seen leaving Freetown International Airport on Friday afternoon.
It comes amid persistent speculation that Ecowas has brokered a deal with the Sierra Leone government to allow the 70-year-old to relocate to ease tension following the November unrest.
#SierraLeone
@africaintel
Sierra Leone's former president is headed to Nigeria for medical treatment despite being due to stand trial for his alleged role in a coup attempt last year.
Ernest Bai Koroma was given permission to leave by the High Court on Wednesday for a maximum of three months. But it is widely believed that a deal has been reached allowing him to go into exile.
His treason trial is due to start in March.
Bai Koroma led Sierra Leone for 11 years until 2018, when current President Julius Maada Bio was elected.
A Nigerian presidential jet carrying the former president was seen leaving Freetown International Airport on Friday afternoon.
It comes amid persistent speculation that Ecowas has brokered a deal with the Sierra Leone government to allow the 70-year-old to relocate to ease tension following the November unrest.
#SierraLeone
@africaintel
🇸🇱🇺🇳 Sierra Leone's capital under threat from deforestation, UN report says
A national park that provides clean water to Sierra Leone's capital Freetown is critically under threat due to human activities such as land grabbing, charcoal burning, quarrying and marijuana cultivation, a U.N. report said.
The park has lost about 26% of its 18,000 hectares of forest cover since the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) started measuring it in 2016.
The report warned that deforestation could contribute towards "slope destabilization, water shortages, landslides and floods" and called for the close monitoring of forest coverage to protect the city's main water sources.
The city of Freetown is built on a forested peninsula, which is mostly made up of national park land. Its water comes from reservoirs in the mountains, but deforestation is causing rain to drain off the hillsides rather than seeping through roots into the soil and streams.
#SierraLeone #UN
@africaintel
A national park that provides clean water to Sierra Leone's capital Freetown is critically under threat due to human activities such as land grabbing, charcoal burning, quarrying and marijuana cultivation, a U.N. report said.
The park has lost about 26% of its 18,000 hectares of forest cover since the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) started measuring it in 2016.
The report warned that deforestation could contribute towards "slope destabilization, water shortages, landslides and floods" and called for the close monitoring of forest coverage to protect the city's main water sources.
The city of Freetown is built on a forested peninsula, which is mostly made up of national park land. Its water comes from reservoirs in the mountains, but deforestation is causing rain to drain off the hillsides rather than seeping through roots into the soil and streams.
#SierraLeone #UN
@africaintel
🇸🇱 ECOWAS not under influence of foreign powers said Sierra Leone foreign minister
Sierra Leone's Foreign Minister Timothy Musa Kabba has denied accusations by the military-led regimes of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso that the Ecowas is under foreign influence.
The three countries jointly announced their exit from Ecowas on Sunday, saying that the bloc is "under the influence of foreign powers, betraying its founding principles" and "has become a threat to member states and peoples".
Kabba, who was part of the team that has been mediating between Ecowas and the military-led regimes, has told that the accusations are "unfortunate" as Ecowas's intervention was intended to "find a solution to the impasse" and ensure peace, security and stability in the region.
"And we are not in any way under the influence of any external power to mediate between Ecowas and Nigerien authorities," he added.
#ECOWAS #SierraLeone
@africaintel
Sierra Leone's Foreign Minister Timothy Musa Kabba has denied accusations by the military-led regimes of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso that the Ecowas is under foreign influence.
The three countries jointly announced their exit from Ecowas on Sunday, saying that the bloc is "under the influence of foreign powers, betraying its founding principles" and "has become a threat to member states and peoples".
Kabba, who was part of the team that has been mediating between Ecowas and the military-led regimes, has told that the accusations are "unfortunate" as Ecowas's intervention was intended to "find a solution to the impasse" and ensure peace, security and stability in the region.
"And we are not in any way under the influence of any external power to mediate between Ecowas and Nigerien authorities," he added.
#ECOWAS #SierraLeone
@africaintel
🇸🇱 Mass burial for unidentified drug victims in Sierra Leone
The bodies of 32 unidentified people who had all died after taking the drug known as Kush were buried in Sierra Leone's capital, Freetown, on Thursday.
They are just the latest people to die as a result of the narcotic - a synthetic cannabinoid mixed with other dangerous chemicals - that has become popular in the country.
Ministry of health estimates that it picks up two to three corpses a day, but because many do not carry identification they often lay unclaimed in the morgue.
Many young people living in desperate circumstances have become addicted to Kush.
In 2022, medical staff in Freetown told the BBC's Africa Eye programme that 90% of the male admissions to the central psychiatric ward are due to use of the drug.
#SierraLeone
@africaintel
The bodies of 32 unidentified people who had all died after taking the drug known as Kush were buried in Sierra Leone's capital, Freetown, on Thursday.
They are just the latest people to die as a result of the narcotic - a synthetic cannabinoid mixed with other dangerous chemicals - that has become popular in the country.
Ministry of health estimates that it picks up two to three corpses a day, but because many do not carry identification they often lay unclaimed in the morgue.
Many young people living in desperate circumstances have become addicted to Kush.
In 2022, medical staff in Freetown told the BBC's Africa Eye programme that 90% of the male admissions to the central psychiatric ward are due to use of the drug.
#SierraLeone
@africaintel
🇸🇱 Sierra Leone declares emergency over drug abuse
Sierra Leone has declared a national emergency after increased cases of substance abuse. President Julius Maada Bio's decree Thursday follows an explosive rise in the use of a synthetic drug known as Kush.
The drug which is highly addictive is a mix of marijuana, tentanyl and tramadol, a powerful pain killer. Kush has been blamed for causing hundreds of deaths and making scores of users mentally sick.
It first appeared in the west African country around four years ago. The drug is also widely used in neighboring Liberia.
President Bio said a taskforce would be set up to implement a multi-pronged strategy to combat drug and substance abuse.
#SierraLeone
@africaintel
Sierra Leone has declared a national emergency after increased cases of substance abuse. President Julius Maada Bio's decree Thursday follows an explosive rise in the use of a synthetic drug known as Kush.
The drug which is highly addictive is a mix of marijuana, tentanyl and tramadol, a powerful pain killer. Kush has been blamed for causing hundreds of deaths and making scores of users mentally sick.
It first appeared in the west African country around four years ago. The drug is also widely used in neighboring Liberia.
President Bio said a taskforce would be set up to implement a multi-pronged strategy to combat drug and substance abuse.
#SierraLeone
@africaintel
🇸🇱Sierra Leone bans child marriage
"Sierra Leone has been signed into law to protect girls in the West African nation where about a third are married before adulthood" - according to the President Julius Maada Bio.
The law is being celebrated widely. It criminalizes marrying any girl who is under 18 years old. Offenders face up to 15 years in prison or a fine of around $4,000 or both. Witnesses to such marriages will also face jail or a fine.
#SierraLeone
@africaintel
"Sierra Leone has been signed into law to protect girls in the West African nation where about a third are married before adulthood" - according to the President Julius Maada Bio.
The law is being celebrated widely. It criminalizes marrying any girl who is under 18 years old. Offenders face up to 15 years in prison or a fine of around $4,000 or both. Witnesses to such marriages will also face jail or a fine.
#SierraLeone
@africaintel