Sierra Leone: New leader sworn in before supporters

By Alpha Kamara

FREETOWN, Sierra Leone (AA) - Sierra Leone’s new president was sworn into office on Saturday in the capital Freetown in front of a crowd of some 50,000 and supporters of the ruling SLPP party.

Also attending the inauguration of Julius Maada Bio were several West African leaders: Liberian President George Weah, Senegalese President Macky Sall, Guinean President Alpha Condé, and Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé.

A minor crowd disaster which led to several injuries almost disrupted the ceremony.

The Sierra Leone police and Red Cross officials confirmed that one person was killed and about 20 injured while entering the crowded Siaka Stevens Stadium to witness the inauguration.

Bio, a former military junta leader, was declared the winner of Sierra Leone’s elections on April 4 with 51.81 percent of total votes cast against the APC’s Samura Kamara, who pulled in 48.19 percent.

Other celebrities present at the ceremony included Nigerian actress Omotola Jalade and Senegalese musical icon Youssou Ndour.

The handing over of the staff of authority by outgoing President Ernest Bai Koroma to Bio was the high point of the ceremony.