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S Leone opposition celebrate win New S Leone president inaugurated
(about 2 hours later)
Opposition supporters bedecked in red have been out on the streets of the Sierra Leonean capital, Freetown, as they celebrate their election victory. Ernest Bai Koroma has been sworn in as Sierra Leone's president, shortly after being declared the winner of a tense run-off election.
All People's Congress leader Ernest Bai Koroma won 54.6% of the vote in the presidential run-off. Mr Koroma, the opposition leader, won 54.6% of the final vote against Vice-President Solomon Berewa's 45.4%.
His rival, Vice-President Solomon Berewa of the governing Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) obtained 45.4%. Thousands of jubilant opposition supporters danced in the streets of the capital as news of his victory spread.
The national election commission said that flaws in the vote were not enough to invalidate the result.The national election commission said that flaws in the vote were not enough to invalidate the result.
A spokesman for Mr Koroma's party said both Mr Berewa and the outgoing president, Ahamd Tejan Kabbah, had already called to congratulate the winner. Mr Koroma was inaugurated at an afternoon ceremony in Freetown, attended by military officials and dignitaries including outgoing President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah and Mr Berewa.
The national electoral commission was asked to investigate reports of suspect ballots at 14 polling stations, where the turnout was reported as 100% or more, compared to a national average of 68%. Thousands of opposition supporters, bedecked in red, sang and danced throughout a heavy downpour.
Amid such concerns the SLPP sought an injunction to try to stop the publication of any further results. PROFILE With an ebullient character, Koroma stands tall with charisma. The 54-year-old insurance broker says he wants to run the country like a business concern class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/6966704.stm">APC's Ernest Bai Koroma
Mr Koroma told the crowd: "My government will spare no effort to deal with zero tolerance with corruption and mismanagement of state resources.
"We know how high your expectations are and that you have suffered for too long."
Mr Kabbah, who was prevented by law from running for a third five-year term, said: "I inherited a bankrupt, war-torn and failing state.
"Today, I am handing over to you a fully stable and functional state."
Last week, the national electoral commission was asked to investigate reports of suspect ballots at 14 polling stations, where the turnout was reported as 100% or more, compared to a national average of 68%.
Amid such concerns the governing Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) sought an injunction to try to stop the publication of any further results.
But by the time the High Court looked at the application and deemed it required resubmission, the result had already been announced.But by the time the High Court looked at the application and deemed it required resubmission, the result had already been announced.
In any event, the electoral commission had pointed out that most, though not all, of the suspect results were in SLPP strongholds.In any event, the electoral commission had pointed out that most, though not all, of the suspect results were in SLPP strongholds.
President in waiting Inroads
Ernest Bai Koroma is an insurance broker who says he wants to run the country like a business concern. Ernest Bai Koroma, 54, is an insurance broker who says he wants to run the country like a business concern.
He polled well in the predominantly Muslim north of the country and in the capital. Rival for the presidency, Mr Berewa, had been a surprise choiceHe polled well in the predominantly Muslim north of the country and in the capital, Freetown.
PROFILE With an ebullient character, Koroma stands tall with charisma. The 54-year-old insurance broker says he wants to run the country like a business concern APC's Ernest Bai Koroma
But he also made inroads into his opponents' traditional heartland in the ethnic Mende south.But he also made inroads into his opponents' traditional heartland in the ethnic Mende south.
Sierra Leone is gradually rebuilding after a decade-long diamond-fuelled war but remains one of the world's poorest countries where mass unemployment could still lead to instability. Sierra Leone is gradually rebuilding after a decade-long, diamond-fuelled war but remains one of the world's poorest countries where mass unemployment could still lead to instability.
The 54-year-old APC leader ran a slick campaign - calling for change. Mr Koroma leader ran a slick campaign calling for change.
Opponents say his party mismanaged the country for two decades leading up to the war but such criticisms were not enough to deflect an electorate seeking a change.Opponents say his party mismanaged the country for two decades leading up to the war but such criticisms were not enough to deflect an electorate seeking a change.
His rival for the presidency, Solomon Ekuma Berewa, had been a surprise choice - named as the SLPP candidate by the incumbent President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah at a time when he was not even a card-carrying member of the party. His rival for the presidency, Mr Berewa, had been a surprise choice - named as the SLPP candidate by the incumbent President Kabbah at a time when he was not even a card-carrying member of the party.
As Attorney General, Mr Berewa helped negotiate an end to Sierra Leone's civil war and though a veteran 69 years old, his reputation as a workaholic convinced many he had the stamina for the top job.
But observers say high levels of corruption prevented the governing SLPP from delivering basic public services and this fatally damaged his campaign.