Sierra Leone (commonwealth realm)
Encyclopedia
The commonwealth realm of Sierra Leone, known officially simply as Sierra Leone, was a predecessor to modern-day Sierra Leone
and an independent state and that existed between 27 April 1967 and 19 April 1971. It was the African country with the longest tenure as a commonwealth realm. When British rule ended in 1961, Sierra Leone was given independence as a commonwealth realm, in which the state existed until the promulgation of the 1971 constitution. During the commonwealth realm phase, the British monarch remained head of state
of Sierra Leone, and was represented in Sierra Leone by a governor-general
. The following governors-generals held office in Sierra Leone during the commonwealth period:
The following held office as prime minister
(and head of government
) of Sierra Leone during this period:
The Commonwealth Realm was abolished in 1971, Prime Minister Siaka Stevens
became the first President of Sierra Leone.
Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone , officially the Republic of Sierra Leone, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Guinea to the north and east, Liberia to the southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west and southwest. Sierra Leone covers a total area of and has an estimated population between 5.4 and 6.4...
and an independent state and that existed between 27 April 1967 and 19 April 1971. It was the African country with the longest tenure as a commonwealth realm. When British rule ended in 1961, Sierra Leone was given independence as a commonwealth realm, in which the state existed until the promulgation of the 1971 constitution. During the commonwealth realm phase, the British monarch remained head of state
Head of State
A head of state is the individual that serves as the chief public representative of a monarchy, republic, federation, commonwealth or other kind of state. His or her role generally includes legitimizing the state and exercising the political powers, functions, and duties granted to the head of...
of Sierra Leone, and was represented in Sierra Leone by a governor-general
Governor-General
A Governor-General, is a vice-regal person of a monarch in an independent realm or a major colonial circonscription. Depending on the political arrangement of the territory, a Governor General can be a governor of high rank, or a principal governor ranking above "ordinary" governors.- Current uses...
. The following governors-generals held office in Sierra Leone during the commonwealth period:
- Sir Maurice Henry DormanMaurice Henry DormanSir Maurice Henry Dorman, GCMG, GCVO was the representative of the British Monarchy in Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Sierra Leone, and Malta. He studied at Cambridge University. He served in Sierra Leone from 1956 until 1962, for which he was knighted in 1957...
(27 April 1961–27 April 1962) - Sir Henry Josiah Lightfoot BostonHenry Josiah Lightfoot BostonSir Henry Josiah Lightfoot Boston was a Sierra Leonean diplomat and politician. He was the first indigenous Governor-General of Sierra Leone...
(27 April 1962–April 1967) - Andrew Juxon-SmithAndrew Juxon-SmithBrigadier Andrew Terence Juxon-Smith was a politician and military official in Sierra Leone. He was briefly Chairman of the National Reformation Council and acting Governor-General, equivalent to head of the Sierra Leonean state...
(April 1967–18 April 1968) (acting) - John Amadu BanguraJohn Amadu BanguraBrigadier John Amadu Bangura was the acting Governor-General of Sierra Leone from 18 April 1968 until 22 April 1968. He led the Sargents Coup in 1968 that successfully re-instated civilian rule in Sierra Leone.- Early life :...
(18–22 April 1968) (acting) - Sir Banja Tejan-SieBanja Tejan-SieSir Banja Tejan-Sie, GCMG was a politician and lawyer in Sierra Leone and one of the "founding fathers" of the Sierra Leone People's Party . Tejan-Sie was born in Moyamba District to a famous Muslim cleric and scholar from the Fulah tribe...
(22 April 1968–31 March 1971) - Christopher Okoro Cole (31 March–19 April 1971) (interim)
The following held office as prime minister
Prime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
(and head of government
Head of government
Head of government is the chief officer of the executive branch of a government, often presiding over a cabinet. In a parliamentary system, the head of government is often styled prime minister, chief minister, premier, etc...
) of Sierra Leone during this period:
- Milton MargaiMilton MargaiSir Milton Augustus Strieby Margai was a Sierra Leonean politician and the first prime minister of Sierra Leone...
(27 April 1961-30 April 1964) - Albert MargaiAlbert MargaiSir Albert Michael Margai was the second prime minister of Sierra Leone and the half-brother of Sir Milton Margai, the country's first Prime Minister...
(30 April 1964-17 March 1967) - Siaka StevensSiaka StevensSiaka Probyn Stevens was the 3rd prime minister of Sierra Leone from 1967–1971 and the 1st president of Sierra Leone from 1971–1985. Stevens is generally criticised for dictatorial methods of government in which many of his political opponents were executed, as well as for mismanaging...
(17 March 1967-21 March 1967) - David LansanaDavid LansanaBrigadier David Lansana was one of the very few Sierra Leoneans to be educated at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, England during the colonial period. As Lieutenant David Lansana he was a frequent and popular visitor to the home of Sir Robert de Zouche Hall, Governor of Sierra Leone...
(21 March 1967-24 March 1967) - Ambrose Patrick Genda(24 March 1967-27 March 1967)*
- Andrew Juxon Smith(27 March 1967-19 April 1968)*
- Patrick Conteh(19 April 1968-26 April 1968)**
- Siaka StevensSiaka StevensSiaka Probyn Stevens was the 3rd prime minister of Sierra Leone from 1967–1971 and the 1st president of Sierra Leone from 1971–1985. Stevens is generally criticised for dictatorial methods of government in which many of his political opponents were executed, as well as for mismanaging...
(again) (26 April 1968-19 April 1971)
- as 'Chairman of the National Reform Council'
- as 'Chairman of the National Interim Council'
The Commonwealth Realm was abolished in 1971, Prime Minister Siaka Stevens
Siaka Stevens
Siaka Probyn Stevens was the 3rd prime minister of Sierra Leone from 1967–1971 and the 1st president of Sierra Leone from 1971–1985. Stevens is generally criticised for dictatorial methods of government in which many of his political opponents were executed, as well as for mismanaging...
became the first President of Sierra Leone.
See also
- Governor-General of Sierra Leone
- Maurice Henry DormanMaurice Henry DormanSir Maurice Henry Dorman, GCMG, GCVO was the representative of the British Monarchy in Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Sierra Leone, and Malta. He studied at Cambridge University. He served in Sierra Leone from 1956 until 1962, for which he was knighted in 1957...
- Siaka StevensSiaka StevensSiaka Probyn Stevens was the 3rd prime minister of Sierra Leone from 1967–1971 and the 1st president of Sierra Leone from 1971–1985. Stevens is generally criticised for dictatorial methods of government in which many of his political opponents were executed, as well as for mismanaging...
- Elizabeth II
- Milton MargaiMilton MargaiSir Milton Augustus Strieby Margai was a Sierra Leonean politician and the first prime minister of Sierra Leone...