List of heads of state of Sierra Leone


This is a list of the heads of state of Sierra Leone, from the independence of the Sierra Leone in 1961 to the present day.
From 1961 to 1971 the head of state under the Sierra Leone Independence Act 1961 was the Queen of Sierra Leone Elizabeth II, who was also the Monarch of the United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth realms. The monarch was represented in Sierra Leone by a Governor-General. Sierra Leone became a republic under the Constitution of 1971 and the Monarch and Governor-General were replaced by an ceremonial President, a year later it became an executive Presidency.

Monarch (1961–1971)

The succession to the throne was the same as the succession to the British throne.

Governor-General

The Governor-General was the representative of the monarch in Sierra Leone and exercised most of the powers of the Monarch. The Governor-General was appointed for an indefinite term, serving at the pleasure of the Monarch. After the passage of the Statute of Westminster 1931, the Governor-General was appointed solely on the advice of the Cabinet of Sierra Leone without the involvement of the British government. In the event of a vacancy the Chief Justice served as Officer Administering the Government.
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Military rule (1967–1968)

First Republic (1971–1992)

Under the 1971 Constitution, the first constitution of the Republic of Sierra Leone, the President replaced the Monarch as ceremonial head of state a year later the Presidency became an executive head of state, The President was elected by Parliament for a four-year term. The 1978 Constitution proclaimed Sierra Leone as a one-party state, the President was elected for a seven-year term and can only serve two terms, then in 1991 a new Constitution was made to end the status as a one-party state, the President now serves a five-year term and can only serve two terms. In the event of a vacancy the Vice-President served as Acting President.
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Military rule (1992–1996)

led a coup d'état which overthrew President Momoh and his government, again dissolving all political parties and the Parliament.

Second Republic (1996–1997)

When the civilian government was restored so was the 1991 Constitution and in the 1996 elections the SLPP won the election for most seats in Parliament and the Presidential election. In the event of a vacancy the Vice-President served as Acting President.
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Military rule (1997–1998)

led a coup d'état which overthrew President Kabbah and his government, dissolving all political parties and the Parliament.

Second Republic (1998–present)

The civilian government was restored so was the 1991 Constitution and the Members of Parliament and the President. In the event of a vacancy the Vice-President served as Acting President.
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Standards

Living former heads of state

There are three living former Sierra Leonean Heads of State:
ImageNameTerm/ReignOfficeDate of birth
Elizabeth II1961–1971Queen
Valentine Strasser1992–1996Military ruler
Ernest Bai Koroma2007–2018President