Sierra Leone (1961–1971)


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.
When British rule ended in April 1961, the British Crown Colony of Sierra Leone was given independence under the Sierra Leone Independence Act 1961. The British monarch, 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.

History

On 27 April 1961 Sierra Leone gained independence.
In 1962 general elections were won by the Sierra Leone People's Party. The All People's Congress emerged as the most organised opposition.
In March 1964 Njala University opened. On April 28 1964 Prime Minister Milton Margai died. His brother, Albert Margai, was appointed as new prime minister. On August 4 1964 Sierra Leone currency, the Sierra Leonean leone, was established.
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 invite Andrew Juxon-Smith, a senior officer on leave, to return and head a provisional government, the National Reformation Council.
In 1968 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 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 executive president.

Governors-General

The Governors-General of Sierra Leone were:
  1. Sir Maurice Henry Dorman
  2. Sir Henry Josiah Lightfoot Boston
  3. Andrew Juxon-Smith
  4. John Amadu Bangura
  5. Sir Banja Tejan-Sie
  6. Christopher Okoro Cole

    Prime Ministers

The Prime Ministers of Sierra Leone during this period were:
  1. Milton Margai
  2. Albert Margai
  3. Siaka Stevens
  4. David Lansana
  5. Ambrose Patrick Genda a
  6. Andrew Juxon Smith a
  7. Patrick Conteh b
  8. Siaka Stevens

    Transition to a Republic

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