THE government of Sierra Leone has issued a travel advisory to its citizens following a surge of anti-migrant riots in various cities across the United Kingdom. In a statement released on Thursday, Sierra Leone’s High Commission in the UK urged Sierra Leonean nationals to avoid areas of protest and large gatherings that could pose a risk.
‘As UK law enforcement works to control the situation, the Sierra Leone High Commission advises all citizens to steer clear of protest zones and remain vigilant,’ the statement read. The advisory also recommended that Sierra Leoneans residing in, traveling to, or transiting through the UK should immediately contact the High Commission or local police if they encounter any incidents affecting their safety.
The High Commission expressed ‘growing concern’ over the escalating unrest, which has seen violent anti-migrant and anti-Muslim demonstrations erupt across the UK.
Sierra Leone joins Nigeria, Kenya, and other nations in issuing travel warnings amid the ongoing unrest in the UK. The protests were sparked by the recent fatal stabbing of three young girls in Southport, a town in northwest England. The incident has fuelled public disorder, with extremists spreading disinformation about the attacker being an immigrant, a claim that has since been debunked.
The unrest escalated last weekend when rioters targeted hotels housing asylum seekers in two UK cities, leading to hundreds of arrests. Sierra Leone’s advisory is a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of its citizens in the UK during this turbulent period.
Africabriefing
