Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio obtained authorization from the country’s electoral commission on Tuesday to compete for reelection in June’s general elections.
Samura Kamara, the runner-up in the 2018 presidential election and the candidate of the main opposition party, has also been recognized by the commission.
Bio will be running after a first term highlighted by economic hardship and severe inflation in a country still recovering from the Ebola crisis in 2014 and before the coronavirus pandemic.
People’s frustration at financial difficulty and the government’s apparent incapacity to offset the consequences of rising prices in August of last year fueled rare anti-government protests, culminating in the deaths of dozens.
Kamara, 72, has recognized “systemic challenges” in his West African country.
“Sierra Leone is still unable to feed itself, and we are unable to provide electricity to the country.” We cannot have sustainable progressive economic development, economic growth, and no serious infrastructure.
Bio, 58, stated ambitions to raise agricultural production to improve food security, as well as to continue his effort to expand access to public education, which he made free at the primary and secondary levels during his first term.
In addition, governors, mayors, and council members will be elected in June.
