Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio suspended one of his ministers on Sunday, accused of threatening to "break his legs" and kill opponents after a series of violence in the West African country.
Abu Abu Koroma, minister of the Northern Province, a stronghold of the opposition, is suspended for "unacceptable conduct and public statements , " said a statement from the presidency.
"We are going to kill you, if that's what you want," Koroma said in a video circulating on social networks. And to add "any young person who behaves badly, we will break his legs and then we will address the parents".
Read also: Sierra Leone: 7 dead during an escape attempt from a prison in Freetown
In a televised speech on Saturday, President Bio accused members of the All People's Congress (APC, opposition) of being behind the recent violence. Including the death of 11 people during an attempted escape of prisoners in Freetown, after a reported case of coronavirus contamination.
Authorities in the former British colony, one of the poorest countries in the world, have so far reported 307 cases of coronavirus for 18 deaths.