The official language of Sierra Leone is English. ECOMOG was unable to achieve a tactical victory over the RUF, and the international community promoted peace negotiations. Because of irregularities, the government cancelled elections in 13 constituencies. Other Susu moved westward from Fouta Djallon, eventually dominating the Baga, Bulom, and Temne north of the Scarcies River. Sierra Leone : History Sierra Leone is a tropical country in West Africa, on the Atlantic coast between Guinea and Liberia. – discuss] In 2004, Parliament passed a Local Government Act of 2004 which re-introduced local government councils back to Sierra Leone after thirty years. Throughout the war, Freetown served as a critical convoy station for Allied ships. They had a good turnout and were initially judged by official observers to be "free, fair and credible". With a GDP per capita of $1,651, it is ranked number 14 in the top 25 poorest countries. Fragments of prehistoric pottery from Kamabai Rock Shelter. The capital of the country is Freetown, which was founded for former repatriated slaves in 1787. Meanwhile, an increasing burden was placed on the country by the rebellion in the eastern part of Sierra Leone. They resettled Freetown with 1,100 former slaves and Loyalists from Nova Scotia. The day of Jubilee is come; An important aspect of his character was his self-effacement; he was neither corrupt nor did he make a lavish display of his power or status. One hundred people committed for trial before supreme court for their part in it. Samu chiefdom, for instance, was divided; the people on the frontier had to opt for farms on one side or villages on the other."[39]. On March 10, 1998, after ten months in exile, Kabbah resumed his rule over Sierra Leone. Africa Profile with Focus on Sierra Leone. Sierra Leone became an independent nation on April 27, 1961. The coup was largely popular because it promised to bring peace, but the NPRC Junta immediately suspended the constitution, banned all political parties, limited freedom of speech and freedom of the press and enacted a rule-by-decree policy, in which soldiers were granted unlimited powers of administrative detention without charge or trial. Clarkson told the men to clear the land until they reached a large cotton tree. Koroma began a reign of terror, destroying the economy and murdering enemies. Brief History Of Sierra Leone. The SSD was very powerful and operated independently under Stevens' direct command. In particular, it created an increased demand for agricultural labour. Televisions: 53,000 (1997). 1884, Mechanics Alliance trade union is formed. Get Sierra Leonean Leone rates, news, and facts. Radio broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 9, shortwave 1 (2001). Sierra Leone gained independence from Britain in 1961. The bulk of the territory that makes up present-day Sierra Leone was still the sovereign territory of indigenous peoples such as the Mende and Temne, and was little affected by the tiny population of the Colony. In 1961, Siaka Stevens, a trade unionist and outspoken critic of the SLPP government, took advantage of the dissatisfaction with the ruling SLPP among some prominent politicians from the Northern part of Sierra Leone. Set-piece battles were rare, and the fortified towns so strong that their capture was seldom attempted. In June 2007, three former rebel leaders were convicted of crimes against humanity by a UN-backed court. On 5 May 2003, Bockarie was killed in Liberia, allegedly on orders from President Charles Taylor, who feared Bockarie's testimony before the Special Court. Thus, to the commercial reasons for pacification could be added anti-slavery ones. Infoplease is part of the FEN Learning family of educational and reference sites for parents, teachers and students. [19], By 1545, the Mane had reached Cape Mount, near the south-eastern corner of present-day Sierra Leone. Sierra Leone, country of western Africa. In January 1997, under international pressure, the Kabbah government ended their contract with Executive Outcomes even though a neutral monitoring force had not arrived. The colonial history of Sierra Leone was not placid. It imparts some education. Koroma became head of state, with Gborie as deputy-in-command of the AFRC. Their first arrival at the coast was east of Sierra Leone, at least as far away as River Cess and likely farther. If one were attacked, the king would come to his aid, and the king could adjudicate local disputes. Sierra Leone (/ s i ˌ ɛr ə l i ˈ oʊ n ... History. He had the police and the army on his side and nothing could have prevented him from achieving his ambition to hold on to power, but he chose not to and called for free and fair elections. 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