Wednesday, January 17th 1996.

Footage of Brigadier Julius Maada Bio being sworn in as the Sierra Leonean Head of State after he overthrew the previous military Chief of State Captain Valentine Strasser.

Reuters 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.

Source: Reuters News Archive.