President Koroma yesterday congratulated President-elect of the United States of America Barack Obama, the African-American Senator from Illinois, on his historic election to the White House, apparently the most powerful office in the world.

"By their show of votes at the polls, the people of America have clearly spoken. You have emerged as a symbol of hope to America and the world. Through your election as President of the United States, you have inherited the mantle of responsibility and the enormous challenge of leading the greatest democracy in the world," the message read.

"The Government and people of Sierra Leone join me in wishing you a prosperous tenure of office and we look forward to building a strong working relationship," it continued.

President Koroma went further to mention issues of wider international dimension: "In my capacity as Chairman of the Committee of Ten of the African Union on UN Reform, I look forward to working with your administration in reforming the United Nations, as that institution moves into intergovernmental negotiations."

"Mr. President, please accept my congratulations on behalf of the Government and people of the Republic of Sierra Leone," the message concluded.

Meanwhile, FROM South Africa AFP has confirmed that other African leaders have also hailed the prospect of the first black US president entering the White House, with Nelson Mandela saluting Barack Obama for living the dream of change.

South Africa's first black leader, the icon of the anti-apartheid struggle against whites-only rule, said Obama's victory over John McCain on Tuesday had "demonstrated that no person anywhere in the world should not dare to dream of wanting to change the world for a better place."

"We are sure you will ultimately achieve your dream (of) making the United States of America a full partner in a community of nations committed to peace and prosperity for all," said the 90-year-old Mandela.

Kofi Annan, the veteran Ghanaian diplomat who became the first black secretary-general of the United Nations, said he had witnessed Obama's election "with great emotion."

"It's an historic event; one that I had not expected to see in my lifetime," Annan said.

Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki, one of the first leaders to react to the Democratic candidate Obama's victory, said it was a "momentous" occasion for Kenya where Obama's father was born.

"This is a momentous day not only in the history of the United States of America, but also for us in Kenya," Kibaki said.

He said the victory of the 47-year-old Obama "is our own victory because of his roots here in Kenya."

Kibaki declared Thursday a public holiday for Kenyans to celebrate.

In West Africa's powerhouse, President Umaru Yar'Adua said Obama's election has "created a totally and completely new era."

"The election ... has finally broken the greatest barrier of prejudice in human history. I believe for us in Nigeria, we have a lesson to draw from this historic event," he said.

A hitherto skeptical Malian President Amadou Toumani Toure said that the US has "given a lesson maturity and in democracy" to other countries.

Republic of Congo leader Denis Sassou Nguesso said Obama's win was a "moving, historic moment", 45 years after civil rights icon Martin Luther King laid out his "dream" of racial equality,.

"We see how visionaries like Martin Luther King saw coming events. His dream has come true," Nguesso told Radio France International (RFI).

Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam said Martin Luther King's battle, "which was a dream for the US ... was not in vain, his (Obama's) victory marks a turning point in the history of the US and the world."

Zimbabwe's opposition Movement for Democratic Change, which believes its leader Morgan Tsvangirai was robbed of victory in a March presidential election, said Obama's victory gave it hope that "democracy can work and that there is no alternative."

"Obama's victory is a victory of hope, faith, change, a restart, values and dreams which have underpinned our fight ...against dictatorship and the neo-fascism of (President) Robert Mugabe," said MDC secretary-general Tendai Biti.

"For those of us who are still in the trenches, fighting for change and democracy across the entire African continent, this is our victory."

In Chad, the leader of the national assembly, Nassour Guelindoksia, said Obama's victory should serve as a beacon to other countries.

"It's an example to follow, especially by Africans, as Americans show that democracy knows no colour, religion or origin," Guelindoksia told lawmakers.

However a leading analyst warned that Africa should not necessarily expect Obama's victory to result in more aid from the United States.

"We should be drawing ...(inspirational) lessons from Obama's victory rather than (thinking) that, now the he has the US, the coffers will open and billions of dollars will come... it doesn't work like that," said Ousmane Sene, a professor in literature and American civilisation from Senegal's University of Cheikh Anta Diop.