Presidents of Sierra Leone

Below are notable presidents of Sierra Leone in chronological order, with the years each served and a brief summary.

Siaka Stevens

Served: 1971–1985

First president of Sierra Leone and earlier prime minister; his APC government turned the country into a one-party state in 1978.

Joseph Saidu Momoh

Served: 1985–1992

Stevens's chosen successor; overthrown in the April 1992 coup.

Valentine Strasser

Served: 1992–1996

Seized power in the 1992 coup at age 25 and was overthrown by his deputy in January 1996.

Julius Maada Bio

Served: 1996, 2018–present

Led a short military handover in 1996, then returned as elected president in 2018 and was re-elected in 2023.

Ahmad Tejan Kabbah

Served: 1996–1997, 1998–2007

Elected in 1996, overthrown in the May 1997 coup, and restored in 1998; led the country at the end of the civil war.

Johnny Paul Koroma

Served: 1997–1998

Led the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council junta until it was removed in February 1998.

Ernest Bai Koroma

Served: 2007–2018

Won the 2007 election and served two terms.

Sources: Archontology.org, Sierra Leone: Heads of State (1971–); Wikipedia, List of heads of state of Sierra Leone (checked Nov 2026). Seven leaders since the presidency began in 1971; pre-1971 heads of state and a leader who held power only for days in 1992 are not listed.. Last reviewed November 2026.

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