List of Presidents of Sierra Leone: Past and Present

Last updated November 2026

This page lists the presidents and heads of state of Sierra Leone from 1971 to the present, with the years each leader was in office and a short summary of their time in power. Use it to find the current president of Sierra Leone, former leaders, and key dates in the country's political history.

Current president of Sierra Leone: Julius Maada Bio (in office since 2018).

Presidents of Sierra Leone in order, with years in office

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.

Frequently asked questions about the presidents of Sierra Leone

Who is the current president of Sierra Leone?

The current president of Sierra Leone is Julius Maada Bio, in office since 2018.

Who were the previous presidents of Sierra Leone?

The presidents and heads of state of Sierra Leone listed on this page, in order, are: Siaka Stevens, Joseph Saidu Momoh, Valentine Strasser, Julius Maada Bio, Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, Johnny Paul Koroma, Ernest Bai Koroma.

Who was the first president of Sierra Leone?

Siaka Stevens was the first president of Sierra Leone, in office 1971–1985.

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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