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Commonwealth Secretariat press release

Commonwealth Hails Successful Elections in Sierra Leone and Pledges Help to End Civil War

19 March 1996

Commonwealth Secretary-General Chief Emeka Anyaoku has welcomed the successful completion of the Sierra Leone elections and pledged Commonwealth support to Sierra Leone's newly elected president Mr Ahmad Tejan Kabba in seeking to end the country's civil war. Chief Anyaoku also promised Commonwealth help in rebuilding the country and in consolidating democracy.

The Secretary-General said in separate messages to President-elect Tejan Kabba, leader of the Sierra Leone People's Party, and Brigadier Julius Maada Bio, the outgoing Head of State, that the successful completion of parliamentary and presidential elections in Sierra Leone marked an historic turning point for the country after nearly four years of military rule. He hoped that democracy would bring with it peace, progress and prosperity.

In his message to Mr Tejan Kabba, who won the second round run-off in the country's presidential poll on 15 March, the Secretary-General said: "You will be taking over at a particularly difficult time for the country. In addition to post-electoral consolidation and reconstruction there is the immediate and pressing issue of bringing an end to the war. In these and all other matters you can count on the support of the Commonwealth".

Chief Anyaoku's message to Brigadier Bio, Chairman of the National Provisional Ruling Council, expressed appreciation for the contribution he had made to the restoration of democracy in Sierra Leone.

 


Note to Editors:

Sierra Leone's presidential and parliamentary elections on 26-27 February were observed by an 18-member Commonwealth Observer Group. Another team from the Commonwealth Secretariat was present for the second round of the presidential election held on 15 March which was won by Mr Tejan Kabba with some 59 per cent of the vote. The Commonwealth provided technical assistance to Sierra Leone's interim National Electoral Commission before and during the poll.

 

96/11 19 March 1996

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