Sierra Leone (1961–1971)

Sierra Leone
1961–1971
Motto: Unity, Freedom, Justice
Anthem: High We Exalt Thee, Realm of the Free
Location of Sierra Leone (red) in Western Africa
Capital Freetown
Government Constitutional monarchy
Queen  
• 1961–1971
Elizabeth II
Governor-General  
• 1961–1971
See list
Prime Minister  
• 1961–1971
See list
Historical era Decolonization of Africa
• Independence
27 April 1961
• Republic
19 April 1971
Population
• 1963
2,180,355[1]
• 1965
2,473,294[2]
• 1970
2,692,259[2]
Currency British West African pound
(1961–1964)
Leone
(from 1964)
ISO 3166 code SL
Preceded by		Succeeded by
Sierra Leone Colony and Protectorate
Sierra Leone
Today part of  Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone was a sovereign state with Queen Elizabeth II as its head of state between independence on 27 April 1961 and becoming the Republic of Sierra Leone on 19 April 1971.[3]

When British rule ended in April 1961, the British Crown Colony of Sierra Leone was given independence under the Sierra Leone Independence Act 1961.[4] The British monarch, Elizabeth II, remained the head of state of Sierra Leone[5] and was represented in Sierra Leone by a Governor-General.[6] Sierra Leone shared the Sovereign with the other Commonwealth realms, including the United Kingdom.

Governors-General

The Governors-General of Sierra Leone were:[3]

  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 (31 March – 19 April 1971) (interim)

Prime Ministers

The Prime Ministers (and heads of government) of Sierra Leone during this period were:[3]

  1. Milton Margai (27 April 1961 – 30 April 1964)
  2. 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.

Transition to a Republic

Elizabeth II visited Sierra Leone from 25 November to 1 December 1961, shortly after independence.[7]

The link with the British monarchy was abolished on the promulgation of the 1971 constitution and Prime Minister Siaka Stevens became the first President of Sierra Leone. Sierra Leone became a republic within the Commonwealth.[8]

Standard of the Governor-General of Sierra Leone, 1961–1971

References

Bibliography

  • Kargbo, Michael S. (2006). British Foreign Policy and the Conflict in Sierra Leone, 1991–2001. Google Books. Peter Lang. p. 70. Retrieved 19 November 2017.

Notes

  1. ↑ "FINAL RESULTS 2004 POPULATION AND HOUSING CENSUS" (PDF). Sierra-leone.org. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  2. 1 2 "Sierra Leone Population". Worldometers. Retrieved 3 January 2018.
  3. 1 2 3 "Sierra Leone". WorldStatesmen.org. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
  4. ↑ "Sierra Leone Independence Act 1961". Legislation.gov.uk. Retrieved 19 November 2017.
  5. ↑ "Sierra Leone Heads". Worldwide Guide to Women in Leadership. Retrieved 20 November 2017.
  6. ↑ Kargbo 2006, p. 70.
  7. ↑ "Commonwealth Tours: 1960s". British Pathé. Retrieved 20 November 2017.
  8. ↑ "Sierra Leone". The Commonwealth. Retrieved 20 November 2017.
  • "SIERRA LEONE INDEPENDENCE BILL (Hansard, 27 March 1961)". Hansard.millbanksystems.com. Retrieved 2017-01-26.
  • "SIERRA LEONE (GIFT OF A MACE) (Hansard, 30 January 1962)". Hansard.millbanksystems.com. Retrieved 2017-01-26.
  • "Orders of the Day — Sierra Leone Independence Bill: 22 Mar 1961: House of Commons debates". TheyWorkForYou. Retrieved 2017-01-26.
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