Sierra Leone gains independence from Britain

Updated: 30 Sep 2019

Sierra Leone gains independence from Britain

West African state Sierra Leone fronts onto the Atlantic Ocean, and is flanked by Liberia and Guinea.

The very earliest inhabitants of Sierra Leone were possibly the Bulom people. The 15th century saw the Mende, Temne and Fulani peoples follow them. The first European explorers were the Portuguese.

How we know this

01BBC, 1961: Sierra Leone wins independence, from BBC NEWS, [online], Available at news.bbc.co.uk [Accessed: 29 April 2014]
02Fyfe, C., Independence, from EncyclopÃ¦dia Britannica, [online], Available at www.britannica.com [Accessed: 29 April 2014]

Last updated · 30 Sep 2019

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2011, March 16). Sierra Leone gains independence from Britain. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011927

South African History Online (2011) 'Sierra Leone gains independence from Britain', South African History Online, 16 March. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011927 (Accessed: 13 October 2026).

South African History Online, Sierra Leone gains independence from Britain [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011927, (accessed 13 October 2026).

"Sierra Leone gains independence from Britain." South African History Online, 16 Mar. 2011, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011927. Accessed 13 Oct. 2026.

South African History Online. "Sierra Leone gains independence from Britain." South African History Online. March 16, 2011. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011927.