Sierra Leone, which means “Lion Mountains”, is a very diverse country located on the west coast of Africa. Sierra Leone is impressively known for the country’s wealth in diamonds, also known as “blood diamonds” because of the blood that is shed to get these diamonds. The country is home to approximately 6.3 million people. Although English is the country’s official language, the languages of Temne, Mende, and Krio are also spoken. Sierra Leone’s inhabitant history, first contact with the Portuguese and British, transition from imperialism to freedom, and its modern nation is what makes the country unique. Limba, Capez, and Sape are believed by scholars to be the first inhabitants of Sierra Leone. Sierra Leone consists of about 18 different
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Fortunately for the people of Sierra Leone, independence was won from the British without any form of violence during most of the 20th century. In 1951, a constitution was made which declared decolonization, undoing the domination of the British establishment in Sierra Leone (“Embassy of the United States Freetown, Sierra Leone” 1). Independence was granted to Sierra Leone on April 27, 1961 when the country became a constitutional monarchy. Sir Milton Margai, Prime Minister of Sierra Leone at the time, created the Sir Milton’s Sierra Leone Peoples Party. After the death of Milton Margai, his brother, Albert Margai, took over his position (LaVert 25). Albert Margai desired for Sierra Leone to become a single-party state and this was highly rejected among the country. Sir Milton’s Sierra Leone Peoples Party biggest opponent was the Temne All People’s Congress. The leader of this opposition, Siaka Stevens, then formed a new government. Siaka Stevens was later expelled out of his position in the All People’s Congress by a group of army leaders (“Sierra Leone: History” 1). A year later, the army leaders were overthrown by a group of lower-ranking army leaders. This new group decided for a parliamentary system within Britain’s Commonwealth with Siaka Stevens as the new Prime Minister. Although Sierra Leone’s transition from imperialism to independence went through many complications, Sierra Leone is finally freed from
Fortunately for the people of Sierra Leone, independence was won from the British without any form of violence during most of the 20th century. In 1951, a constitution was made which declared decolonization, undoing the domination of the British establishment in Sierra Leone (“Embassy of the United States Freetown, Sierra Leone” 1). Independence was granted to Sierra Leone on April 27, 1961 when the country became a constitutional monarchy. Sir Milton Margai, Prime Minister of Sierra Leone at the time, created the Sir Milton’s Sierra Leone Peoples Party. After the death of Milton Margai, his brother, Albert Margai, took over his position (LaVert 25). Albert Margai desired for Sierra Leone to become a single-party state and this was highly rejected among the country. Sir Milton’s Sierra Leone Peoples Party biggest opponent was the Temne All People’s Congress. The leader of this opposition, Siaka Stevens, then formed a new government. Siaka Stevens was later expelled out of his position in the All People’s Congress by a group of army leaders (“Sierra Leone: History” 1). A year later, the army leaders were overthrown by a group of lower-ranking army leaders. This new group decided for a parliamentary system within Britain’s Commonwealth with Siaka Stevens as the new Prime Minister. Although Sierra Leone’s transition from imperialism to independence went through many complications, Sierra Leone is finally freed from