President of Sierra Leone, Julius Maada Bio has called on locals to embrace unity in order for the West African country to move forward.

Bio, who has recently been re-elected, administered oaths of office to some of his cabinet ministers on Monday, July 31st.

“Having formed my new cabinet, my administration is poised to work with the Legislative and Judicial Arms of Government towards delivering on our Big Five Game-Changer National Development Priorities for the sustainable transformation of our nation,” the President said.

Bio’s reelection has heavily been contested by the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC) who have even boycotted government and governance. The APC refused to accept the 24 June results citing that the data issued by the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) is not in tandem with the reality. They asked the ECSL to release results by polling stations.

Bio, despite the APC’s stance, called on the main opposition and their supporters to embrace unity.

“I, therefore, call on every Sierra Leonean to relinquish our differences and embrace the onerous task of building a vibrant, resilient and prosperous Sierra Leone that works for all,” Bio said on Tuesday, August 1.