Violent Protests At Home, While The President Is Away Visiting UK

Violent protests have reportedly erupted between police and anti-government groups resulting in yet-to-be ascertained number of deaths.

The protesters cite “economic hardship” amidst chants that “Bio must go” in reference to their stance for President, Julius Maada Bio to leave office.

Maada has just about 10 months to end of his administration as president of Sierra Leone, but has indicated interest in seeking a second term of office

Reports monitored by The Eagle indicate citizens gathering in major cities across the country to drive home their opposition to the Maada’s renewal of his mandate.

A report in the Liberian Observer, quoting an economic news portal, Cocorioko.net, said the demonstration was called by an organisation, People Power In Politics (PPP) headed by a social media political commentator known as Will Adebayor operating from Holland.

“With an audience of 48,587 followers on his personal Facebook page, many have dubbed him the King of SaLone”

But there were no direct opinions credited to Adebayor, however , the protests was a culmination of a two-day sit-down strike, August 8 and 9 against the Julius Maada Bio administration,.

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Hundreds of people thronged came out into the streets to demonstrate. Chanting, “Maada must go, we want peace”, denouncing economic hardship, rising prices, dictatorship, corruption, and bad governance.

Adebayor posted a flier on his page, announcing the opening day of the protest (August 8), calling for an end to tribalism, political intimidation, police brutality, killings, and corruption.

Ostensibly to stem the violent protests, the Sierra Leonean Vice President, Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, had announced a nationwide curfew from 3 p.m. after the clashes broke out.

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According to the Washington Post, VP Jalloh informed local media that “lives of both policemen and civilians were lost,” without giving further details.

But police spokesman Brima Kamara told the AFP news agency that “two police officers, a male, and female, were mobbed to death by protesters at the east end of Freetown this morning.”