Sierra Leone (commonwealth realm)

Sierra Leone
Commonwealth Realm
1961–1971 →
Flag Coat of Arms
Motto 'Unity, Freedom, Justice'
Anthem 'High We Exalt Thee, Realm Of The Free'
Location of Dominion of Sierra Leone(dark red) in Western Africa(light grey)
Capital	Freetown
Language(s)	English, Krio
Government	Constitutional Monarchy
Queen of Sierra Leone
- 1961-1971	Elizabeth II
Governor General of Sierra Leone
- 1961-1962	Sir Maurice Henry Dorman
- 1962-1967	Sir Henry Josiah Lightfoot Boston
- 1967-68	Andrew Juxon Smith
- 1968	John Amadu Bangura
- 1968-1971	Sir Banja Tejan-Sie
Prime Minister
- 1961-1964	Milton Margai
- 1947-1967	Albert Margai
- 1967	Siaka Stevens
- 1967	David Lansana
- 1957-60	Siaka Stevens
Historical era	Cold War
- Independence	27 April 1961
- Became Republic	19 April 1971
Currency	Leone(from 1964)

The commonwealth realm of Sierra Leone, known officially simply as Sierra Leone, was a predecessor to modern-day Sierra Leone and an independent state and that existed between 27 April 1967 and 19 April 1971. It was the African country with the longest tenure as a commonwealth realm. When British rule ended in 1961, Sierra Leone was given independence as a commonwealth realm, in which the state existed until the promulgation of the 1971 constitution. During the commonwealth realm phase, the British monarch remained head of state of Sierra Leone, and was represented in Sierra Leone by a governor-general. The following governors-generals held office in Sierra Leone during the commonwealth period:

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)

The following held office as prime minister (and head of government) of Sierra Leone during this period:

1. Milton Margai(27 April 1961-30 April 1964)
2. Albert Margai(30 April 1964-17 March 1967)
3. Siaka Stevens(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)*
6. Andrew Juxon Smith(27 March 1967-19 April 1968)*
7. Patrick Conteh(19 April 1968-26 April 1968)**
8. Siaka Stevens (again) (26 April 1968-19 April 1971)

• as 'Chairman of the National Reform Council'
  • as 'Chairman of the National Interim Council'

The Commonwealth Realm was abolished in 1971, Prime Minister Siaka Stevens became the first President of Sierra Leone.

See also

• Governor-General of Sierra Leone
• Maurice Henry Dorman
• Siaka Stevens
• Elizabeth II
• Milton Margai

References

• [1]
• [2]

External links

• [3]
• [4]