Ernest Bai Koroma sworn in as President of Sierra Leone

We congratulate the people of Sierra Leone, who have peacefully elected Ernest Bai Koroma as the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone. This election represents Sierra Leone's first peaceful transfer of civilian power since the end of the civil war in 2002. President Koroma's campaign competitor, former Vice President Solomon E. Berewa, conceded and has pledged his support to the new government.

Thanks to former President Kabbah's leadership in ensuring the successful conduct of elections, Sierra Leone has taken an historic step toward a more democratic, peaceful, and prosperous future. We commend the independent National Electoral Commission, led by Dr. Christiana Thorpe, and the Sierra Leone security services for their impartial efforts to ensure that the people of Sierra Leone could vote free from intimidation in a transparent and fair process.

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