The Economic Community of West African States ECOWAS has condemned the incident, promising to protect democracy and good governance at all costs.

The United States Embassy, in Freetown issued a similar statement calling for the immediate arrest and prosecution of those responsible.

With the sub-region shaken by waves of unconstitutional changes of governments and failed coups in the last three years, Freetown’s incident raises questions about the future of democracy in West Africa and ECOWAS’s show of force to prevent any power grab.

Dr Ojowole of ISS speaking to WADR on these issues, also highlighted coup trigger factors.