27th June, 2023
Julius Maada Bio, President of Sierra Leone, has won a re-election after defeating his challenger, Samura Kamara in Saturday’s presidential poll.
Bio scored 56 percent of the votes to defeat Kamara who polled 41 percent of the votes
The BBC reports that after the first tranche of results were released on Monday, Kamara called the outcome “daylight robbery.”
Saturday’s vote took place amid tension but President Bio had called on Sierra Leoneans to “keep the peace”.
The 59-year-old is due to be sworn in for his second five-year term soon. The rivalry between him and Dr Kamara, 72, was a repeat of the closely fought 2018 election, which went to a second round.
Reacting to this, Bio thanked Sierra Leoneans their overwhelming votes for his re-election.
He wrote on his Twitter: “Dear Fellow Sierra Leoneans, I am extremely humbled and immensely thankful for your overwhelming vote of confidence, as demonstrated by my victory and that of the SLPP in the just concluded Multi-Tier Elections.
“This victory is for Sierra Leone, as we have once again demonstrated that though our tongues, tribes and political persuasions might differ, we are united in our desire to see The Land That We Love, #SierraLeone, prosper.
“There are no winners or losers in this election. But, Sierra Leoneans with different political affiliations, united in our desire for the economic growth, social progress, and love of our nation though we choose to achieve our desires through different pathways.
“I, therefore, commend every candidate who participated in the election and humbly extend my hand of fellowship to the leadership of all political parties and their members to join us in our national development efforts.
“Together, we will transform our nation into a beacon of progress and prosperity. Thank you, Sierra Leone, for your trust and dedication. Our triumph belongs to every Sierra Leonean. Let us continue working in #peace and #unity for a brighter future for us all!”5