Addis Ababa, 8 April 2018: The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, welcomes the successful conduct of the presidential run-off election held in Sierra Leone on 31 March 2018. He congratulates the people of Sierra Leone on this achievement and commends the National Electoral Commission, as well as the political leaders, for their demonstrated spirit of responsibility, which ensured the peaceful and smooth conclusion of the electoral process. In this respect, he notes with satisfaction the meeting held on 7 April between the newly-elected President Julius Maada Bio and his challenger Samura Kamara, and their commitment to work together in the pursuit of Sierra Leone’s higher national interests. He applauds the acknowledgment by the latter of the outcome of the election and his commitment to democracy.

The Chairperson of the Commission stresses that the holding of peaceful, transparent and credible elections and the subsequent smooth transfer of power bear testimony to the entrenchment of democracy in Sierra Leone, as well as to the steady progress being made by the continent as a whole towards the promotion of constitutionalism, the rule of law, democratic governance and accountability. He reiterates the African Union’s commitment to supporting the deepening and consolidation of democracy in all Member States through peaceful, transparent and credible electoral processes, held on the basis of the relevant continental instruments, as well as national leadership and ownership.

The Chairperson of the Commission assures President Maada Bio of the African Union’s full support as he works to advance the development of his country and improve the well-being of its people. He looks forward to working closely with him in the implementation of continental priorities within the framework of Agenda 2063 - The Africa We Want. He expresses gratitude to former President Ernest Bai Koroma for his immense contribution to the achievement of the African Union’s objectives, including his leadership of the Committee of Ten (C-10) on the Reform of the United Nations Security Council, and wishes him every success in his future endeavors.