![]() 55) Īrchaeological finds show that Sierra Leone has been inhabited continuously for at least 2,500 years populated successively by societies who migrated from other parts of Africa. Originally named Serra Leoa ( Portuguese for 'lioness mountains') by Portuguese explorer Pedro de Sintra in 1462, the later name is derived from the Venetian spelling, which was introduced by Venetian explorer Alvise Cadamosto and subsequently copied by other European mapmakers. It takes its name from the Lion Mountains near Freetown. It is home to Sub-Saharan Africa's first Western-style university: Fourah Bay College (established in 1827). It is a member of the United Nations, African Union, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Mano River Union, Commonwealth of Nations, IMF, World Bank, WTO, African Development Bank, and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. Sierra Leone has diamond, gold, bauxite and aluminium. Krio is spoken by 97% of the country's population. English is the official language used in schools and government administration. About 2% of the country's population are Creole people, descendants of freed African-American and Afro-Caribbean slaves. Ībout 18 ethnic groups inhabit Sierra Leone the two largest are Temne and Mende peoples. Kabbah's presidency included a focus on fostering national unity and reconciliation, trust in government, peace and stability, the improvement in relations with countries, and the refounding of the Sierra Leone Armed Forces with special assistance and training led by the Government of the United Kingdom. ![]() Ahmad Tejan Kabbah won the 1996 presidential election and became the first multi-party democratically elected president of Sierra Leone. Eventually, "Elections before Peace" won the debate. In 1996, the prospect of a transformation back to a multi-party democracy emerged, with the national debate "Peace before Elections vs Elections before Peace". Bio would then return the country back to a democratic republic in 1996 through a general election. Strasser was later ousted by his army colleague and second-in-command Julius Maada Bio, for failing to commit to a quick transfer to civilian rule. In 1992, President Momoh was ousted in a coup led by Sierra Leone Army captain Valentine Strasser. A civil war broke out the same year, which went on for 11 years. Stevens' hand-picked successor Joseph Saidu Momoh promised to return the country to a multi-party system a constitution was adopted in 1991 that provided the means for a multi-party democracy. Stevens held on to this position for 14 years (until 1985) under a one-party system of government facilitated by the 1978 Constitution. A new constitution was adopted in 1971, paving the way for Sierra Leone becoming a republic, and Siaka Stevens, leader of the All People's Congress (APC), becoming the first executive president of the Republic of Sierra Leone. Margai's Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) won a plurality of parliamentary seats and he was re-elected Prime Minister. It had its first general elections as an independent nation on. During decades following independence, Sierra Leone witnessed an increase in political activities, transformations, turmoil, humanitarian and socio-economic crises. Sir Milton Margai became its first prime minister. It gained independence from the United Kingdom on 27 April 1961, and became a Commonwealth realm on the same day its name changed to the Dominion of Sierra Leone. Hence, it formally became known as the Sierra Leone Colony and Protectorate or simply British Sierra Leone. Sierra Leone, as the country and its borders are known, was founded by the British Crown in two phases: first, the coastal Sierra Leone Colony in 1808 (for returning Africans after the abolition of slavery) second, the inland Protectorate in 1896 (as the Crown needed to establish more dominion inland following the outcome of the Berlin Conference of 1884–1885). Muslims make up about three-quarters of the population, with a Christian minority. It is a secular nation with the constitution providing for the separation of state and religion and freedom of conscience (which includes freedom of thoughts and religion). It is a constitutional republic with a unicameral parliament and a directly elected president serving a five-year term with a maximum of two terms. The country is divided into five administrative regions, which are subdivided into 16 districts. Freetown is the capital and largest city. It has a population of 7,092,113 as of the 2015 census. ![]() Covering a total area of 71,740 km 2 (27,699 sq mi), it has a tropical climate, with environments ranging from savanna to rainforests. It shares its southeastern border with Liberia, and the northern half is surrounded by Guinea. Sierra Leone, officially the Republic of Sierra Leone, is a country on the southwest coast of West Africa.
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