As Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio was sworn in for a second term following a closely contested election, the streets of the nation’s capital Freetown remained peaceful and calm, despite fears of violence and tension. This peaceful transition is a testament to the resilience of the Sierra Leonean people, and a reminder of the hope and strength that can be found in the face of adversity. The recent election was a rematch of the 2018 vote, where Bio, a former coup leader and leader of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) narrowly edged out Samura Kamara of the All People’s Congress (APC).

This year, the SLPP leader again emerged victorious, winning 56.17% of the vote. Kamara, an ex-minister and economist, however, has yet to concede defeat. The peaceful outcome of the election is a welcome change in Sierra Leone, a country with a long history of turbulence. The end of the 1991-2002 civil war marked a new era of peace and stability, and for some time Sierra Leone’s hard-won progress seemed to be on an upward trajectory. But the rise of COVID-19, followed by crippling inflation, has posed serious challenges to the nation and its people. Regardless, the people of Sierra Leone have shown remarkable strength and resilience in the face of such difficulties.

As Amanda, a 40-year-old hotel worker who chose not to disclose her last name, said: “I’m happy, not even because of the result, but I’m happy with the way everything came and went because our expectations were really high that it was going to be like a catastrophe.” While attention now shifts to the opposition and how they will react, the peaceful transition of power has been a cause for celebration among many Sierra Leoneans. This is a story of courage, hope and resilience, and a reminder that the strength of the human spirit can prevail even in the darkest of times.