In October 1990, owing to mounting pressure from both within and outside the country for political and economic reforms, president Momoh set up a constitutional review commission to assess the 1978 one-party constitution. Another prominent figure in Sierra Leone history is Bai Sherbro (c.18301912). 2004 saw a population of four million, nine hundred and seventy-six thousand eight hundred and seventy-one (4,976,871) and in the 2015 census Sierra Leone recorded a total population of seven million and ninety-two thousand, one hundred and thirteen (7,092,113), the last census before the latest mid-term population and housing census which indicated a total of eight hundred and forty-three thousand two hundred and fifty-four (843,254) residential buildings, whilst for non-residential a total of seven thousand five hundred and three ( 7,503). In the 1860s, the country became a journalist hub for Africa, with professionals travelling to the country from across the continent. The vast majority of Kissi are Christians. Stevens held on to this position for 14 years (until 1985) under a one-party system of government facilitated by the controversial 1978 Constitution. Each one of Sierra Leone's sixteen administrative districts (with the exception of the Western Area Urban District) is governed by a directly elected district council headed by a council chairman. The coast has areas of low-lying Guinean mangroves swamp. Media in Sierra Leone began with the introduction of the first printing press in Africa at the start of the 19th century. The African country of Sierra Leone is divided into five major areas. In December 2005, UN peacekeeping forces pulled out of Sierra Leone. Sir Albert's leadership was briefly challenged by Foreign Minister John Karefa-Smart, who questioned Sir Albert's succession to the SLPP leadership position. There were thousands of these Black Loyalists, people of African descent who joined the British military forces during the American Revolutionary War. As of the 2015 census, Port Loko District has a population of 614,063. Outside the capital Freetown and other major cities, television is not watched by a great many people, although Bo, Kenema and Makeni are served by their own relays of the main SLBC service. The candidate was Major General Joseph Saidu Momoh, head of the Sierra Leone Armed Forces and Stevens' own choice to succeed him. [255], In 2006, President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah committed to reforming the laws governing the press and media to create a freer system for journalists to work in. Some of that is smuggled, where it is possibly used for money laundering or financing illicit activities. The Kamajors, a group of traditional fighters mostly from the Mende ethnic group under the command of deputy Defence Minister Samuel Hinga Norman, remained loyal to President Kabbah and defended the Southern part of Sierra Leone from the soldiers. Among the soldiers arrested was a little-known army corporal, Foday Sankoh, a strong Bangura supporter, who would later form the Revolutionary United Front (RUF). [123], The president of Sierra Leone is the Commander in Chief of the military, with the Minister of Defence responsible for defence policy and the formulation of the armed forces. Just like Freetown, Bo has an ethnically diverse population but is home to the Mende people, and the primary language is the Krio language. The British later captured Nyagua, and he was also exiled to the Gold Coast. Although the sector was seriously affected during the Civil War, there has been a steady improvement in recent years. Bo District Bombali District Bonthe District Kailahun District Kambia District Kenema District Koinadugu District Kono District Moyamba District 130,725. For more than a century, it was the only European-style university in western Sub-Saharan Africa. [210] Males also showed to be more vulnerable to depression after losing a caregiver. The vast majority of the Mende support the Sierra Leone People's Party; while the majority of the Temne support the All People's Congress.[208]. A one-party parliamentary election between APC members was held in May 1986. [257] In 2007 there were 15 daily newspapers in the country, as well as those published weekly. List of districts of Sierra Leone by Human Development Index, "Sierra Leone unveils new geographical map", "National Electoral Commission - Press Release", "2015 Population and Housing Census Final Results", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Districts_of_Sierra_Leone&oldid=1114634415, This page was last edited on 7 October 2022, at 13:52. [16] Muslims make up about three-quarters of the population, though with an influential Christian minority. 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. Problems experienced with access to the Internet include an intermittent electricity supply and a slow connection speed in the country outside Freetown. [153] In the 1970s and early 1980s, economic growth rate slowed because of a decline in the mining sector and increasing corruption among government officials. [223], Sierra Leone suffers from epidemic outbreaks of diseases, including yellow fever, cholera, Ebola, lassa fever and meningitis. [187] The United Council of Imams, is an influential Islamic religious body in Sierra Leone, that is made up of all imams of mosques throughout Sierra Leone. This is where Freetown is located, and its also the smallest district in size by a large margin. [133][134] In total, there are 19 local councils: 13 district councils, one for each of the 12 districts and one for the Western Area Rural, and six municipalities also have elected local councils. [21] Ahmad Tejan Kabbah won the 1996 presidential election and became the first multi-party democratically elected president of Sierra Leone. [citation needed] Stevens also reduced ethnic polarisation in government by incorporating members of various ethnic groups into his all-dominant APC government. Current ratio of men and women in absolute and relative values in Bo District, Sierra Leone. [257] These levels do vary between areas of the country, with the Western Area having the highest levels and Kailahun the lowest. The town lies about 30 miles . A brief coup in 1997 led by Sierra Leone Army major Johnny Paul Koroma ousted Kabbah, who went into exile in Guinea. After the return to civilian rule, by-elections were held (beginning in autumn 1968) and an all-APC cabinet was appointed. The average temperature is 26C (78.8F) and varies from around 26 to 36C (78.8 to 96.8F) during the year. [21], In early 1996, despite the country going through a brutal civil war, the emergence of the prospect of a transformation back to a multi-party democracy brought fresh hopes and great expectations among a majority of Sierra Leoneans, as the national debate "Peace before Elections vs Elections before Peace" became a hot topic. The figure for Freetown is for the Western Urban Area (Greater Freetown). After they established Granville Town, most of the first group of colonists died, owing to disease and warfare with the indigenous African peoples (Temne), who resisted their encroachment. The Mende predominate in South-Eastern Sierra Leone (with the exception of Kono District). The NPRC Junta maintained relations with ECOWAS and strengthened support for Sierra Leone-based ECOMOG troops fighting in the Liberian war. One traditional leader from each district occupies a seat in Sierra Leone's parliament. The incident brought religious tension in Sierra Leone, in a country known for its high level of religious tolerance, as many Sierra Leonean Muslims at home and abroad called for Ajisafe to be deported back to his home country of Nigeria. . On 19 April 1971, when Sierra Leone became a republic, the Royal Sierra Leone Military Forces were renamed the Republic of Sierra Leone Military Force (RSLMF). Children, youth and adult are frequently seen playing street football across Sierra Leone. Four of the Sierra Leone regions are provinces, and the capital city is located on a peninsula called the Western Area. The Limba are about 60% Christian and 40% Muslims. In 2008, CDC began supporting Sierra Leone's HIV response through the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). The Crown did not supply enough basic supplies and provisions and the Settlers were continually threatened by illegal slave trading and the risk of re-enslavement. [159] Amongst all these projects, both finished and potential, the Bumbuna dam still remains the largest of the hydroelectric projects in Sierra Leone. [107], Deforestation, both for commercial timber and to make room for agriculture, is the major concern and represents an enormous loss of natural economic wealth to the nation. [54] The Liberated Africans eventually modified their customs to adopt those of the Nova Scotians, Maroons and Europeans, yet kept some of their ethnic traditions. [226] For every 100 liveborn children, one mother dies due to complications of giving birth. In mid-1974, Guinean soldiers, as requested by Stevens, were stationed in the country to help maintain his hold on power, as Stevens was a close ally of then-Guinean president Ahmed Skou Tour. Sherbro was influential and powerful and the British greatly feared him. Unpublished master's dissertation (London: Open University, 2013), pp. The Dominion of Sierra Leone retained a parliamentary system of government and was a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. Islam was introduced by Susu traders, merchants and migrants from the north and east, becoming widely adopted in the 18th century. Male. [84] He cancelled Juxon-Smith's construction of a church and mosque on the grounds of Victoria Park (now known as Freetown Amusement Park since 2017). [227] As of 2014[update], Sierra Leone was estimated as having the 11th highest infant mortality rate in the world. After an alleged attempt to overthrow President Momoh in March 1987, more than 60 senior government officials were arrested, including Vice-President Francis Minah, who was removed from office, convicted of plotting the coup, and executed by hanging in 1989, along with five others. The coastal swamp region extends along the Atlantic for about 200 miles (320 km). In the map below, youll be able to see the borders of all 16 districts in Sierra Leone. [161] There were plans to increase its capacity 400 megawatts by 2017 which would cost around $750 million. After a trial that lasted a few months, Bangura was convicted and sentenced to death. Mining of diamonds in the east and other minerals expanded, drawing labourers there from other parts of the country. Bunce Island, an island on the Sierra Leone River, was used as a base for European slavers as a place for slave ships to dock before sailing via the Middle Passage to the Americas. [240][241] In early August 2014 Guinea closed its borders to Sierra Leone to help contain the spreading of the virus, which originated in Guinea, as more new cases of the disease were being reported in Sierra Leone than in Guinea. They have no tradition of origin, and it is believed that they have lived in Sierra Leone since before the European encounter. One of the biggest minority ethnic groups are the Fula at around 3.8% of the population. The Republic of Sierra Leone is composed of five regions: the Northern Province, North West Province, Southern Province, the Eastern Province, and the Western Area. Many Sierra Leonean youth follow the local football league. Since 1985, the nation did not conduct any census for 19 years. [156] Part of the reason for this was due to the import duties and taxes and the lack of quality control. The most widely spoken language among different ethnic groups in the city is Krio. [157] The use of coal and firewood has also posed environmental concerns as they are both in conflict with the push for more sustainable sources of energy. The leader of the main opposition All People's Congress (APC), Siaka Stevens, along with Isaac Wallace-Johnson, another outspoken critic of the SLPP government, were arrested and placed under house arrest in Freetown, along with sixteen others charged with disrupting the independence celebration.[76]. [20] Lansana was later tried and found guilty of treason, and sentenced to death in 1975. Although the British government recommended leniency, Cardew insisted on sending the chief and two allies into exile in the Gold Coast; his government hanged 96 of the chief's warriors. He was neither corrupt nor did he make a lavish display of his power or status. They reinstated the constitution and returned power to Stevens, who at last assumed the office of Prime Minister. Daron Acemoglu, Tristan Reed. 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