A high-powered delegation from ECOWAS and Nigeria have visited Sierra Leone's President Julius Maada Bio Sunday’s security breach and attack on the armory at Wilberforce Barracks in Freetown.
The team, which included Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, Nigeria’s Chief of Defense Staff, General Christopher Musa, its Chief of Defense Military Intelligence, Major General Emmanuel Udiandeye and President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Alieu Touray, conveyed a message of solidarity from the Chairman of the ECOWAS Committee of Heads of State and President of Nigeria, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as well as that of the other ECOWAS Heads of State and Government.
The delegation conveyed a message of solidarity from the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government and reiterated their commitment to preserving democracy and good governance.
President Bio welcomed the delegation and expressed his gratitude for their support. He said that his government is committed to democracy, justice, and the well-being of its citizens. He also condemned the security breach and called on the people of Sierra Leone to support the efforts of the government to bring the perpetrators to justice.
He complained that since he won elections in 2018, the opposition’s reluctance to accept the results has caused consistent strife and unrest, the most recent of which is this weekend’s.
“My party campaigned extensively and won the 2023 elections, but when the results were announced, the main opposition could not accept it. We agreed to dialogue all in the name of peace, and yet again, they decided to cause mayhem. This is not the first time, they did it on August 10, holding weapons and killing police officers, and yet, called it a civil protest.
He expressed gratitude for the citizens of Sierra Leone who collectively defended the peace, stability and democracy of the country.