Sierra Leone's incumbent President Koroma wins 2nd term

Sierra Leone's incumbent president Ernest Koroma won re-election and was sworn in for a second term. President Ernest Koroma got nearly 59% of the vote, beating his closest competitor's 37% in an election international observers described as peaceful. By getting more than 55%, he avoided a second round of voting with the opposition frontrunner. Following his win, Koroma called for unity as he was sworn in late Friday. 'Let us, as we celebrate, be mindful that the work starts today and every Sierra Leonean from all political parties, regions, ethnic group, age and religion is central to our agenda for prosperity,' the president was quoted as saying by CNN. 'I will make sure the fruits of the agenda for prosperity are equality distributed in every district of the country and enjoyed by all,' he said in his swearing-in . The work starts today.' The United States applauded him and hailed the west African nation's democracy. 'This election demonstrates the progress that Sierra Leone has made in strengthening its democratic institutions since the end of the civil war in 2002,' White House spokesman Jay Carney said in a statement.