Freetown in History

Appointed Prime Minister under the self-governing protectorate constitution

Forms the government after the Chief Minister post becomes the prime ministership

Leads the first cabinet after independence from Great Britain

Becomes the first Sierra Leonean Governor-General

Assumes the full governor-general role after succeeding Maurice Dorman

Forms a new SLPP government after taking office as Prime Minister

Appointed Prime Minister after the death of Milton Margai

Takes office briefly before military intervention removes him

Seizes power and becomes head of a short-lived military government

Appointed Prime Minister after the APC election victory

Becomes chairman of the National Reformation Council after Lansana is removed

Becomes chairman of the National Reformation Council military regime

Takes power through the Anti-Corruption Revolutionary Movement

Presides as constitutional civilian government is restored

Restores the governor-general office after military rule ends

Restored as Prime Minister after the military regime collapses

Forms a restored APC government after returning to office

Becomes acting President when Sierra Leone becomes a republic

Serves during the brief transition from monarchy to republic

Transfers from Prime Minister to President under the republican constitution

Becomes first executive President of the Republic of Sierra Leone

Appointed Prime Minister under President Siaka Stevens

Forms the first prime ministerial office under the republic

Leads the cabinet under President Stevens before the office is abolished

Appointed Prime Minister after Sorie Ibrahim Koroma leaves office

Continues as President after the one-party constitution takes effect

Assumes consolidated executive authority after the prime ministership is abolished

Succeeds Siaka Stevens as President of Sierra Leone

Formally inaugurated after succeeding Stevens as APC President

Junior officers overthrow Joseph Momoh after military failures against the RUF

Valentine Strasser becomes head of the National Provisional Ruling Council

Briefly chairs the National Provisional Defence Council after the coup

NPRC government promises stronger action against RUF insurgents

Becomes chairman of the National Provisional Ruling Council

Assumes the title Head of State under the NPRC military government

Leads the NPRC government after Joseph Momoh is overthrown

Government expands the army rapidly to fight RUF rebels

RUF pressure threatens the capital before government counteroffensives

Government hires Executive Outcomes to help reverse RUF advances

Julius Maada Bio removes Valentine Strasser and takes control of the NPRC

Takes power after removing Valentine Strasser from the NPRC leadership

Leads the military government during the transition to elected civilian rule

Ahmad Tejan Kabbah wins presidential election during the civil war

Restores elected civilian presidency after NPRC military rule

Kabbah is sworn in as civilian president after military rule

Sworn in as President after winning the 1996 election

Johnny Paul Koroma becomes head of the AFRC military junta

Kabbah is overthrown by soldiers of the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council

Seizes power as chairman of the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council

AFRC invites the RUF into a junta alliance in Freetown

Assumes the title Head of State after the AFRC coup

AFRC junta loses Freetown after ECOMOG military action

Restored to the presidency after ECOMOG removes the AFRC junta

ECOMOG intervention restores President Kabbah to power

Returns to Freetown and resumes elected presidential authority

Fighting continues despite restoration of the elected government

Government faces mass civilian killings and amputations during rebel assault

AFRC and RUF forces launch a devastating attack on Freetown

Lome settlement gives Sankoh a powerful role over strategic mineral resources

Kabbah government seeks British support as RUF advances threaten Freetown

Sankoh is captured and detained after the RUF hostage crisis

Foday Sankoh is arrested after violence near his Freetown residence

Kabbah formally declares Sierra Leone civil war over

Kabbah wins postwar election after the end of the civil war

Begins APC presidency after Kabbah leaves office

Sworn in as President after winning the 2007 election

Sworn in as President after winning the 2018 election

Begins elected presidency after the 2018 transfer of power

Continues as President after being announced winner of the 2023 election

Declared re-elected for a second presidential term