The man who contested a presidential election in Sierra Leone earlier this year on behalf of the former rebel Revolutionary United Front Party (RUFP) says he is quitting the movement.

Pallo Bangura, who is also secretary-general of the RUFP, said it was time for change in the leadership of the organisation.

I should quit while the going is good

Pallo Bangura

Mr Bangura won less than 2% of the vote in the poll in May, which was won by the incumbent president, Ahmad Tejan Kabbah.

RUF rebels had a fearsome reputation for brutality during Sierra Leone's decade-long civil war, in which about 200,000 people died.

Mr Bangura, a 51-year-old former academic, agreed to represent the RUFP after its leader, Foday Sankoh was barred from standing.

Back to school

Mr Sankoh is currently on trial for murder after more than 20 demonstrators were shot dead outside his house in May 2000.

Mr Bangura was also detained in connection with these deaths but was released in September 2001.

Pallo Bangura was released from prison last year

"I have done my bit," he told the BBC's Focus on Africa.

"I think I should quit while the going is good, so that somebody else can take up and probably, within the next five years, build up the party."

Many RUFP supporters opposed Mr Bangura's candidature, saying that only Mr Sankoh could lead the party.

There has been speculation in Sierra Leone that Mr Bangura may have quit because he had been offered a government job.

But this was denied by the RUFP leader.

"I wouldn't mind going back to university, if they accept me," he said.