Sierra Leone announces arrest of 13 military officials

The small West African nation of Sierra Leone announced Tuesday that it had arrested 13 military officials and one civilian in connection with a thwarted coup attempt Sunday, when 20 people were killed and more than 2,000 prisoners were let loose.

“What happened on Sunday, 26th November 2023, was a failed attempted coup,” Chernor Bah, the country’s information minister, told reporters Tuesday.

Residents remained on edge in the capital, Freetown, where there was a heavy military presence on the streets and an increased number of security checkpoints. Most schools were shut down.