Freetown, Sierra Leone – November 26, 2025 – In a solemn tribute to resilience and sacrifice, the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) is hosting an inter-faith memorial service today at 2:30 p.m. at the Defence Headquarters in Cockerill Barracks.
The ceremony honors the 18 serving military personnel who lost their lives during the violent coup attempt on November 26, 2023, an event that tested the nation’s democratic foundations and left an indelible scar on its collective memory.
The service, attended by top military brass, government officials, and families of the fallen, will feature prayers, hymns, and reflections from Christian, Muslim, and traditional leaders, symbolizing national unity in the face of division.
President Julius Maada Bio is expected to deliver remarks emphasizing the armed forces’ unwavering commitment to safeguarding Sierra Leone’s hard-won peace.
Two years ago, in the pre-dawn hours of that fateful Sunday, a group of armed assailants, later identified as renegade soldiers, mutineers, and civilian conspirators, launched a brazen assault on key state institutions in Freetown.
The attacks began around 4:30 a.m. at the Wilberforce Barracks armory, where gunmen clashed with security forces in a bid to seize weapons and ammunition. From there, the violence escalated rapidly, targeting additional military sites, including the naval base in Murray Town, and extending to the Pademba Road Correctional Centre and the Special Court Prison.
In a chaotic breakout, the assailants freed nearly 2,200 inmates, many of whom were awaiting trial for serious crimes—amid fierce gunfire that claimed the life of at least one prison guard.
The assault, described by Information Minister Chernor Bah as a “failed attempted coup,” resulted in more than 20 deaths overall, including security personnel, attackers, and civilians caught in the crossfire.
