One person has been reported dead and many others injured after violence erupted in the Kailahun district, Eastern Sierra Leone, between supporters of the governing Sierra Leone Peoples Party and a former member of the party, now standing as an independent candidate. 

The clashes which broke out on Wednesday afternoon, occurred during a campaign rally ahead of this month’s by-election in the area.

While some arrests have been made, heightened tensions have resulted in concerns that the February 27 by-election may not happen as planned. 

Patrick Sallia is monitoring the situation and has this update.