Sierra+Leone+Independence

Colleen Heyel, Jimmy Vernon, Josh Prentice, Sam Phillips Sierra Leone
 * Sierra Leone Independence**

·  **Who ruled Sierra Leone and for how long? ** o Sierra Leone was ruled under the British Colonial rule for more than 150 years.
 * Prior Sierra Leone Independence **

· **Who noticed the issue? ** o In 1951 Sir Milton Margi oversaw the drafting of a new constitution, which triggered the process of decolonization. o This new constitution ensured that Sierra Leone would be run under a parlimentary system within the commonwealth of nations. o  Margi led delegations with the United Kingdom representing Sierra Leone.

** Sierra Leone Independence **

Independence Day formally began as the Duke of Kent handed over royal instruments recognizing Sierra Leone as an independent nation.

The stripes on the flag: Green - Agriculture and Mountains. White - Unity and Justice. Blue - The aspiration to contribute to world peace, especially through the use of the natural harbor at Freetown.

· **When did Sierra Leone come to Independence? ** o Sierra Leone became the latest West African state to win independence on April 27, 1961. o In 1961 Sierra Leone becomes independent, with Sir Milton Margai as it's first prime minister o On April 27th,1962 Margi led Sierra Leone to Independence from the United Kingdom o Sierra Leone opted for a parliamentary system within the British Commonwealth. o Sir Milton's Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) led the country to independence and the first general election under universal adult franchise in May 1962.
 * · ** **Who took control?**
 * Sir Milton Margai **

o Upon Sir Milton's death in 1964 after ruling for 4 years, his half-brother, Sir Albert Margai, succeeded him as Prime Minister. o During his three year, Sir Albert was highly criticized for corruption. o The foundation of the government began to steadily deterriorate
 * Sir Albert Margai**

o Stevens steadily grew in power and changed his title from prime minister to president. o Stevens became more and more of a dictator as he started to kill off any resistance to his rule. o After 18 years in power Stevens retired from office. o In 1967 the APC (All People's Congress) wins a plurality of parliamentary seats, and Siaka Stevens, the APC leader, is declared the new prime minister. o This was very controversial and 3 unsuccessful revolt attempts were made by separate coups. o In 1971 a republican constitution is adopted after an unsseccessful military coup, and Siaka Stevens becomes the first president of the Republic. o In 1974 another failed military coup is launched against the government. o The APC becomes Sierra Leon's sole legal party in 1978.
 * Siaka Stevens - Sierra Leone's New Corrupted Leader**

o Siaka Stevens passed on the role of president to a man named Joseph Saidu Momoh who increasingly abuses his power, in 1985. o Momoh ruled with an almost mirrored style to that of Stevens o After a failed attempt to overthrow president Momoh more than 60 government officials were arrested, this included the vice president who was convicted of plotting the coup and excecuted. o This angered many citizens because of the amount of corruption in the government o The anger eventually led to a civil war raging throughout the country until the RUF was formed to help deal with the problem. o In 1991 RUF (Revolutionary United Front) begin to attack villages in eastern Sierra Leone on the Liberian border. o The APC is originally made up of Charles Taylor's rebels and a few mercenaries from Burkino Faso, whose goal is to rid Sierra Leone on the corrupted APC government. o Fighting continues in the following months, with the RUF gaining control of Diamond Mines and pushing the Sierra Leone army all the way back to Freetown. o In 1992 Captain Valentine Strasser launches a military coup that sends General Joseph Momoh into exile, and establishes the National Provisional Ruling Council (NPRC) as the ruling authority.
 * Joseph Saidu Momoh**

o In 1995 the RUF holds most of the country side and are close to Freetown when the NPCR hires several hundred mercenaries, and drives the RUF back to enclaves along Sierra Leone's borders. o In 1996 General Julius Maada Bio replaces Valentine Strasser in the presidency and under intensifying international pressure, Maada hands power over to a civilian government
 * After Joseph Momoh and before Ahmad Tajan Kabbah**

o In the 1996 presidential election, Ahmad Tejan Kabbah wins the presidential election. o In 1997 Kabbah is overthrown by the AFRC (Armed Forces Revolutionary Council), a military junta headed by lieutenant Colonel Johnny Paul Doroma, who invites the RUF to participate in the new government of Sierra Leone. o In 1998 teh AFRC is ousted by the ECOWAS Monitoring group, and the democratically elected president Kabbah is reinstated. o In 1999 the RUF launches another attempt to overthrow the government, who make it to Freetown again before ECOMOG forces drive back the RUF, leaving thousands dead and wounded. o A peace accord is signed between Kabbah and the RUF. o In 2000 violence and rebel activity return. o RUF violates the peace agreement and Sankoh and other senior members of the RUF are arrested. o The situation continues to deteriorate to the extent of British troops being deployed in order to evacuate foreign nationals. o British troops stabalize the nation and help make a cease-fire and the end of the civil war.
 * Ahmad Tejan Kabbah**


 * Sources**

//Background Note: Sierra Leone.// Retrieved December 13, 2009 from []

//Sierra Leone - History.// Retrieved December 13, 2009 from []

2009. //Sierra Leone Web.// Retrieved December 13, 2009 from []

2009. //SIR MILTON AUGUSTUS STRIEBY MARGAI.// Retrieved December 13, 2009 from []

Gascoigne, Bamber. From 2001, ongoing. //HISTORY OF SIERRA LEONE.// Retrieved December 13, 2009 from []