Soldiers burst in Ghana's parliament after dispute

A group of military officers burst onto the floor of Ghana's parliament overnight after an apparent dispute between ruling and opposition party lawmakers ahead of Thursday's swearing-in ceremony of the president of the country and the new spokesperson of parliament.

It was not immediately known who ordered them to enter, but their presence stalled work for a while. Legislators later walked the soldiers out. The development followed a December election that tested the West African nation’s reputation as one of the continent’s most politically stable countries. President Nana Akufo-Addo was being sworn in for a second term Thursday after winning 51.3% of the votes.

Former President John Dramani Mahama, who received 47.3%, has refused to concede defeat and petitioned the Supreme Court to turn aside the results. On Thursday more scuffles between legislators broke out and security officers had to separate some lawmakers before Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, was sworn in as the Speaker of the Parliament.