The officials, six males and two girls, have been “brutalized” and killed within the space the place the protests hung on Wednesday, early life minister Mohamed Orman Bangura mentioned.
The protests grew violent from time to time. Graphic pictures and video of battered and severely injured protesters and a few individuals of safety forces might be noticed on social media. Security forces have been additionally noticed firing weapons at electorate.
Bangura mentioned he may just no longer instantly ascertain the selection of civilians killed or injured within the violent demonstrations.
“We are yet to know how many people were injured, but I can confirm that eight police officers were killed.”
Vice President Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh imposed a curfew Wednesday to quell the protests.
Youth minister Bangura described the protests as an “act of terrorism.”
“Those are not protesters. There’s a difference between protest and riot and acts of terrorism. Protesting is different from acting as a terrorist…going against the state, killing young police officers,” he mentioned.
“The police have made some arrests,” the minister advised CNN whilst accusing the rustic’s opposition of financing the protests.
“This was well planned, calculated and financed by members of the opposition All People’s Congress. Members of the opposition paid young people to come to the street to take over governance,” Bangura, a member of the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party mentioned.
“If the protest is as a result of the cost of living, why is it not happening in all the strongholds of the current government? Why is it in Makeni that happens to be the headquarter town of the opposition? Why is it not a nationwide strike? Out of 16 districts, why is it only in three districts that they (the opposition) think is their stronghold?” he requested.
CNN has reached out to the opposition birthday celebration APC for remark, however is but to listen to again.
However, Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, who is likely one of the main politicians in the principle opposition APC birthday celebration, has denounced the violence.
The mayor added that she have been praying for peace and nationwide cohesion in Sierra Leone along the steerage committee of spiritual leaders.
“Today in our city… my heart goes out to all who lost their lives and loved ones… the ones who lost property right across the city. We all are brothers and sisters… I believe fully in peace and stand against violence,” she mentioned, talking within the native creole dialect.
