Sierra Leone replaces sacked vice president

File photo of Sierra Leone's President Koroma and Vice President Sam-Sumana arriving at National Electoral Commission in Freetown.

Sierra Leone leader Ernest Bai Koroma has appointed a new vice-president, the presidency said Thursday, a day after the sacked deputy vowed to appeal to the Supreme Court.
The State House said in a statement Victor Bockarie Foh, a veteran powerbroker in the ruling party and most recently the nation's ambassador to China, would take up the post immediately.




"It has pleased His Excellency President Ernest Bai Koroma to appoint Victor Bockarie Foh as vice-president due to the vacancy of the post," the statement said.

Koroma axed Samuel Sam-Sumana on Tuesday, almost two weeks after he was expelled from the ruling All People's Congress (APC) and went into hiding, claiming he was in danger and asking for asylum in the United States.

Koroma said Sam-Sumana's asylum claim showed "a willingness to abandon his duties and office as vice-president of our beloved republic".

Sam-Sumana has accused Koroma of acting unlawfully, telling reporters the president "does not have the constitutional right to sack me because I was not appointed by him but elected under the constitution of Sierra Leone".

"I have instructed my legal team to pursue this matter in the highest court of the land, the Supreme Court," he said in a statement to the nation broadcast earlier this week.

Foh was APC secretary-general for more than a decade until he was appointed Sierra Leone's envoy to China, when he was praised for strengthening ties with Beijing.

The appointment is seen as particularly significant as Koroma has just two years of his final term left to serve, making his deputy a favourite to become the country's next leader.

The APC announced on March 6 it had kicked out Sam-Sumana, accusing him of fomenting violence in his home district of Kono, deceit, fraud and threatening key party officials.

He denied all charges and fled into hiding - with aides reporting he had voiced fears for his safety - before briefly reappearing at his residence on Monday to speak to reporters.

The action against Sam-Sumana has been seen as part of a wider crackdown on "anti-party activities" which saw expulsions, reprimands and fines for several other senior members.