S/ Leone President Sworn In For Second Term

Tension mounts as Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma is inaugurated for a second five-year term as president of Sierra Leone after being declared winner of the November 17 presidential and parliamentary elections.

He was hurriedly sworn into office Friday evening shortly after the chair of the NEC, Dr. Elizabeth Thorpe announced that Koroma has won 1,314,881 representing 58 per cent of the valid ballots, while his closest rival, former junta leader Julius Maada Bio, came second with 837,517 votes polled representing 37 per cent.

But the main opposition leader Maada Bio who previously said he would not accept results of a “rigged election,” is still crying foul over the votes which international and local observers described as “free, fair and credible.”

Travellers from Sierra Leone speak of mass dissatisfaction of people with the results of the parliamentary and presidential elections. “The tension is too high and everybody is worried about what follows next,” says one Sierra Leonean.

In his inaugural speech, Koroma said, “By the grace of God, I have once again been elected as your President. The people have spoken and their collective will has prevailed. I give praise and thanks to Almighty God for the great honour bestowed on me to lead this nation. This is a win for every Sierra Leonean; and I thank every Sierra Leonean for bringing about this victory for this land that we love.”

But the opposition Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) is reported to have rejected the results of the elections and decided to seek redress in court, while its standard bearer, Mr. Maada Bio appealed to his supporters to remain calm.