1961–1971 Sierra Leone

Dominion of Sierra Leone
1961–1971
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: Unity, Freedom, Justice
Anthem: High We Exalt Thee, Realm of the Free
Capital	Freetown
Government	Unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy
Queen
• 1961–1971	Elizabeth II
Governor-General
• 1961–1971	See list
Prime Minister
• 1961–1971	See list
Historical era	Decolonisation of Africa
• Independence	27 April 1961
• Republic	19 April 1971
Population
• 1963	2,180,355
• 1965	2,473,294
• 1970	2,692,259
Currency	British West African pound (1961–1964) Sierra Leonean Leone (1964–1971)
Preceded by Succeeded by Sierra Leone Colony and Protectorate Republic of Sierra Leone
Today part of	Sierra Leone

When British rule ended in April 1961, the British Crown Colony of Sierra Leone was given independence under the Sierra Leone Independence Act 1961. Elizabeth II, remained the head of state of Sierra Leone and was represented in Sierra Leone by a Governor-General. Sierra Leone shared the Sovereign with other countries, including the United Kingdom.

On 27 April 1961, Sierra Leone gained independence.

In 1962, general elections were won by the Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP). The All People's Congress (APC) emerged as the most organised opposition.

In March 1964, Njala University opened. On 28 April 1964, Prime Minister Sir Milton Margai died. His brother, Sir Albert Margai, was appointed as the new prime minister. On 4 August 1964, Sierra Leone's decimal currency, the Sierra Leonean leone, was introduced to replace the British West African pound.

In 1967, general elections were held in Sierra Leone. The APC won by a narrow margin. Brigadier John Lansana, head of the military, seized control of government immediately after swearing in of the new APC prime minister, Siaka Stevens. Lansana was ousted a few days later by junior military officers who invited Andrew Juxon-Smith, a senior officer on leave, to return and head a provisional government, the National Reformation Council (NRC).

In 1968, the NRC was overthrown by warrant officers of the army. John Bangura, a formerly dismissed senior officer, invited to head the army. Bangura turned over government to the APC, led by Siaka Stevens.

In 1969, the University of Sierra Leone was set up, comprising Fourah Bay College and Njala University.

On 19 April 1971, Sierra Leone became a republic with Siaka Stevens as the first executive President of the Republic.

The Governors-General of Sierra Leone were:

1. Sir Maurice Henry Dorman (27 April 1961 – 27 April 1962)
2. Sir Henry Josiah Lightfoot Boston (27 April 1962 – April 1967)
3. Andrew Juxon-Smith (April 1967 – 18 April 1968) (acting)
4. John Amadu Bangura (18–22 April 1968) (acting)
5. Sir Banja Tejan-Sie (22 April 1968 – 31 March 1971)
6. Christopher Okoro Cole (Chief Justice of Sierra Leone) (31 March – 19 April 1971) (interim)

The Prime Ministers (and heads of government) of Sierra Leone during this period were:

1. Sir Milton Margai (27 April 1961 – 30 April 1964) (died in office)
2. Sir Albert Margai (30 April 1964 – 17 March 1967)
3. Siaka Stevens (first term) (17 March 1967 – 21 March 1967)
4. David Lansana (21 March 1967 – 24 March 1967)
5. Ambrose Patrick Genda (24 March 1967 – 27 March 1967)^a
6. Andrew Juxon Smith (27 March 1967 – 19 April 1968)^a
7. Patrick Conteh (19 April 1968 – 26 April 1968)^b
8. Siaka Stevens (second term) (26 April 1968 – 19 April 1971)

a. As Chairman of the National Reform Council.
b. As Chairman of the National Interim Council.

 

Queen Elizabeth II visited Sierra Leone from 25 November to 1 December 1961, shortly after independence.

Sierra Leone became a republic within the Commonwealth on the promulgation of the 1971 Constitution of Sierra Leone and Prime Minister Siaka Stevens became the first President of Sierra Leone.

• Elizabeth II, Queen of Sierra Leone
• Medals of Sierra Leone (1961–1971)

Bibliography

• Kargbo, Michael S. (2006). British Foreign Policy and the Conflict in Sierra Leone, 1991–2001. Peter Lang. p. 70. ISBN 978-3-03910-332-4.
• Fyle, Magbaily C. (2006). Historical Dictionary of Sierra Leone. Lanham, Maryland: Scarecrow Press. pp. XVII–XXII. ISBN 978-0-8108-5339-3.

Notes