Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat. (Xinhua/Gabriel Dusabe)

ADDIS ABABA, April 10 (Xinhua) -- The chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, on Monday said he is keen to closely work with Sierra Leone's newly-elected President Julius Maada Bio in implementing continental priorities within the framework of Agenda 2063.

Having won the presidential run-off on March 31 against his main challenger, Samura Kamara of the ruling All People's Congress (APC), Maada Bio, of the Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP), was sworn in last Wednesday.

Faki congratulated the people of Sierra Leone on the "successful" elections and commended the National Electoral Commission, as well as the political leaders, for their demonstrated spirit of responsibility, which ensured the peaceful and smooth conclusion of the electoral process.

The AU Commission chairperson also hailed the April 7 meeting between Maada Bio and Kamara, and their commitment to working together in the pursuit of Sierra Leone's higher national interests.

"The holding of peaceful, transparent and credible elections and the subsequent smooth transfer of power bear testimony to the entrenchment of democracy in Sierra Leone, as well as to the steady progress being made by the continent as a whole towards the promotion of constitutionalism, the rule of law, democratic governance and accountability," Faki was quoted as saying in an AU Commission statement.

Faki assured Maada Bio of the AU's full support as he works to advance the development of his country and improve the well-being of its people.

The AU Commission chairperson said he looks forward to working closely with the new Sierra Leone leader in the implementation of continental priorities within the framework of Agenda 2063, "The Africa We Want."