British Setup Freetown for Repatriated and Rescued Slaves
Freetown Settlement Becomes Crown Colony
Sir Milton Margai, leader of the Sierra Leone People's Party, appointed chief minister
Sierra Leone becomes independent
Siaka Stevens returns to power at the head of a civilian government following another military coup
Sierra Leone declared a republic, Stevens becomes executive president
New constitution proclaims Sierra Leone a one-party state with the All People's Congress as the sole legal party
Start of civil war. Former army corporal Foday Sankoh and his Revolutionary United Front (RUF) begin campaign against President Momoh, capturing towns on border with Liberia
War declared over. UN mission says disarmament of 45,000 fighters is complete. Government, UN agree to set up war crimes court.
