Sierra Leone Re-Elects Ernest Bai Koroma as President

By Mina Fabulous    

Siera Leone incumbent President Ernest Bai Koroma was re-elected and sworn in on Friday night at the country's capital of Freetown.

Reports say President Ernest Bai Koroma won 58.7% of the vote.

His closest rival, the opposition leader Julius Maada Bio came in second with 37.4% of the vote.

In her remarks in Washington DC, US Department Spokesperson Victoria Nuland says the United States commends the people of Sierra Leone who, on November 17, turned out in overwhelming numbers to vote in the third successful presidential and parliamentary election since the end of the country's civil war in 2002.

Ernest Bai Koroma is the fourth and current President of Sierra Leone. He was sworn in as President on September 17, 2007. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

"We congratulate President Ernest Bai Koroma on his re-election, and urge all parties to accept the results as representing the will of Sierra Leone's voting public." - Ms. Nuland

She says any grievances related to the election must be resolved through Sierra Leone's judiciary, in accordance with the rule of law.

In addition, the US urges all party leaders to refrain from actions that incite violence or encourage acts of retribution.

The US government also calls on the National Electoral Commission, Political Parties Registration Commission, and other stakeholders to address any electoral deficiencies and further strengthen Sierra Leonean democracy.

According to the main conclusions of the European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM), the 100-strong observer team concludes that the elections were conducive to democratic consolidation in the country.

The EU EOM is at present observing the counting and tallying of results. The observer team reportedly will remain in the country to follow any complaints or appeals that may arise.

The mission will issue its final assessment and conclusions within two months of the completion of the entire electoral process.

Mina Fabulous follows the news, especially what is going on in the US State Department. Mina turns State Department waffle into plain english. Read more stories by Mina Fabulous. Contact Mina through NewsBlaze.

  Please click this button to be notified about future stories, and please leave a comment below.