The national elections in Sierra Leone took place on Saturday 24 June. Julius Maada Bio has now been sworn in as President for a second term of office, after the National Electoral Commission declared Bio the winner with 56% of the votes, against the main opposition APC candidate – Samura Kamara scoring 41%.

Candidates need more than 55% for outright victory and avoid a second round of voting.

The announcement comes after three days of political tension and violence in some parts of the country, namely opposition strongholds where casualties have been reported.

As President Bio begins five years in his second term as President, he faces the challenges of extreme economic hardship within a politically divided nation.

Sierra Leone’s economy is in serious decline with very high unemployment. Food inflation is currently more than 40% and government borrowing is at a record high.

Following the unrest that accompanying the election, President Bio has appealed to Sierra Leoneans to “keep the peace”.

Please join us in prayer for the whole nation.