Chairperson of African Union Commission Expresses Concern on Violence in Sierra Leone

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, expresses deep concern over the violent protests in Sierra Leone on 10 August 2022, which resulted in loss of life and the destruction of property.

The Chairperson condemns the acts of violence, and urges all stakeholders to refrain from further violence and engage in constructive dialogue, within the parameters of the democratic process, to maintain the stability that Sierra Leone has enjoyed since the end of civil war in 2002.

Mahamat reaffirms the AU’s commitment to accompany the Government and people of Sierra Leone in the restoration of normalcy.

On Wednesday, 10 August 2022 angry anti-government protesters took to the streets of Freetown and other parts of Sierra Leone to protest against the rising cost of living in the country. The protests however turned bloody and deadly, as several police officers and citizens were killed.

According to the World Bank, half of Sierra Leone’s population of around 8 million live below the poverty line.