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Sierra Leone election: Julius Maada Bio Sworn in as Opposition Cries Foul
Julius Maada Bio was sworn in as president of Sierra Leone on Tuesday, a day after winning a second term in office. The opposition has cried foul, alleging that the vote was rigged.
Maada Bio, 59, a former military officer who participated in two coups during Sierra Leone’s civil war in the 1990s, won 56% of the vote in the March 7 election. His main rival, Samura Kamara, trailed far behind with 41%.
The opposition has accused the government of tampering with the vote count and has called for an independent audit. The government has denied the allegations.
Bio’s supporters have hailed his victory as a mandate for his continued leadership. They say he has made progress in tackling corruption and improving the economy.
However, the opposition says Bio has not done enough to address the country’s problems. They say he has failed to create jobs and improve education and healthcare.
The election has been seen as a test of Sierra Leone’s democracy. The country has a history of political instability, and there were fears that the election could be marred by violence. However, the vote was largely peaceful.
Julius Maada Bio’s swearing-in ceremony was attended by foreign dignitaries, including the presidents of Liberia and Ghana. In his inaugural address, Bio pledged to unite the country and to work for the betterment of all Sierra Leoneans.
“I want to assure you that I will be a president for all Sierra Leoneans,” he said. “I will work to unite our country and to build a better future for all.”
It remains to be seen whether Julius Maada Bio Sworn will be able to deliver on his promises. However, his swearing-in marks the beginning of a new chapter in Sierra Leone’s history.