The Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS Commission) has strongly condemned the violence that occurred yesterday in many locations in Sierra Leone, leading to the loss of lives of police officers and citizens.

The Commission made this stance in a press statement issued on Wednesday 10 August 2022.

ECOWAS calls on all to obey law and order and for the perpetrators of the violence to be identified and brought to justice, in accordance with the law.

“ECOWAS calls on all to obey law and order and for the perpetrators of the violence to be identified and brought to justice, in accordance with the law,” the Commission stated.

Footage circulated on social media showed crowds of demonstrators burning tires in Freetown, and other groups of young men throwing rocks at security forces.

It is also reported that security forces were firing at protesters.

According to the police hundreds of demonstrators have been arrested and will face the full force of the law.

“These unscrupulous individuals have embarked on a violent and unauthorized protest which has led to the loss of lives of innocent Sierra Leoneans including security personnel,” Vice President Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh said in a video address.

He later announcement of a nationwide curfew after the anti-government protests turned deadly.