31 July 2011 Last updated at 10:54 ET

Sierra Leone profile

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President Koromo came to power in elections

President: Ernest Bai Koroma

Ernest Bai Koroma was sworn in as Sierra Leone's new president on 17 September 2007. He won 54.6% of the vote in a run-off with the incumbent vice-president Solomon Berewa.

Mr Koroma promised zero tolerance on corruption in his inaugural speech. He also said he'd fight against the mismanagement of state resources.

Addressing thousands of cheering supporters, Mr Koroma said: "We know how high your expectations are and that you have suffered for too long."

Mr Koroma's All People's Congress (APC) also won a majority in parliamentary elections held in August 2007.

He was born in northern Makeni in 1953, and is an insurance broker who says he wants to run Sierra Leone like a business concern.

His predecessor Ahmad Tejan Kabbah is credited with bringing in foreign help to rescue the country. Mr Kabbah stepped down in August 2007 after serving two terms in office.