SIERRA LEONE: SIERRA LEONE'S NEW LEADER BRIGADIER JULIUS MAADA BIO IS SWORN IN TO OFFICE.

Record ID: 646285

  • Title: SIERRA LEONE: SIERRA LEONE'S NEW LEADER BRIGADIER JULIUS MAADA BIO IS SWORN IN TO OFFICE.
  • Date: 17th January 1996
  • Summary: FREETOWN, SIERRA LEONE (JANUARY 17, 1996) (REUTERS TELEVISION - ACCESS ALL) 1. SV JUDGE READING OUT OFFICE PLEDGE TO PRESIDENT, BRIGADIER JULIUS MAADA BIO, DURING SWEARING IN CEREMONY (ENGLISH)/ PRESENTATION OF AWARD/ZOOM OUT (3 SHOTS) 0.58 2. SV APPLAUSE/VARIOUS OF MILITARY OFFICERS (2 SHOTS) 1.10 3. SV BIO THANKING THOSE AROUND HIM, PROMISING TO SOLVE THE PROBLEMS OF THE COUNTRY AT SUCH A DIFFICULT TIME (ENGLISH) 1.45 4. ZOOM OUT/PAN AUDEINCE APPLAUDING (2 SHOTS) 1.52 SEQ.1: TRANSCRIPT; UNIDENTIFIED JUDGE: "I CONGRATULATE YOU ON BECOMING HEAD OF STATE OF OUR BELOVED REPUBLIC. I WISH FOR YOU EVERY SUCCESS IN DISCHARGE OF YOUR DUTIES, THE DUTIES OF THE HIGHEST OFFICE IN THE LAND." SEQ.3: TRANSCRIPT; BIO: "MEMBERS OF THE SUPREME COUNCIL, SENIOR OFFICERS, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE THIS AFTERNOON. I WANT TO ASSURE YOU, THE CHIEF JUSTICE AND MEMBERS PRESENT HERE AND THIS WHOLE COUNTRY, THAT I WILL DO MY UTMOST TO SERVE IN THE INTEREST OF THIS COUNTRY AT THIS VERY DIFFICULT TIME. AND IN DOING SO, I NEED THE SUPPORT OF EVERYBODY IN HERE AND EVERY FACET OF THE SOCIETY THAT I HAVE PROMISED TO SERVE. I THANK YOU ALL." Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
  • Embargoed: 1st February 1996 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: FREETOWN SIERRA LEONE
  • City:
  • Country: AFRICA Sierra Leone
  • Reuters ID: LVA9JVX3VUH81JRSA8J42SIL16N8
  • Story Text: Sierra Leone's new leader, Brigadier Julius Maada Bio, said on Wednesday (January 17) that elections would go ahead as planned on February 26.

    Addressing the nation a day after overthrowing his former leader, Captain Valentine Strasser, in a bloodless coup, Bio called on rebels of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF), who have been fighting since 1991, to come to peace talks with his government.

    He said members of the government who wanted to stand in the elections would be relieved of their duties to enable them to concentrate on politics, and he would announce his new government soon.

    Speaking from neighbouring Guinea, Strasser said he had agreed to hand over power and his departure should not be called a coup.

    Political analysts say there had been growing tension between Strasser, who wanted to hand over power, and members of the National Provisional Ruling Council, who wanted to stay.


  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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