Joseph Saidu Momoh facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joseph Saidu Momoh, OOR, OBE
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| 2nd President of Sierra Leone | |
| In office November 28, 1985 – April 29, 1992 |
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| Vice President | Francis Minah (1985–87) Abu Bakar Kamara (1987–91) Abdulai Conteh (1991–92) |
| Preceded by | Siaka Stevens |
| Succeeded by | Yahya Kanu |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 26, 1937 Binkolo, Bombali District, British Sierra Leone |
| Died | August 3, 2003 (aged 66) Conakry, Guinea |
| Political party | All People's Congress (APC) |
| Spouses | Fatmata Momoh, Hannah Momoh |
| Children | JS Momoh jr |
Joseph Saidu Momoh (born January 26, 1937 – died August 3, 2003) was a military leader and politician from Sierra Leone. He served as the second President of Sierra Leone from November 1985 until April 1992. Before becoming president, he had a long career in the military.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Joseph Saidu Momoh was born on January 26, 1937, in Binkolo, a town in the Bombali District of what was then British Sierra Leone. His family belonged to the Limba ethnic group. In the early 1940s, his family moved to Freetown, the capital city.
He attended the West African Methodist Collegiate School from 1951 to 1955. Joseph Momoh was very good at sports. He enjoyed playing tennis, basketball, and volleyball. He also played football for local teams like Young Stars FC and Blackpool FC. He finished his education at the Government Clerks School, Technical Institute.
Career Highlights
Starting in Civil Service
In 1956, Joseph Momoh began working for the Sierra Leone government as a clerk. He worked in this role for two years. In 1958, he decided to leave the civil service to join the armed forces.
Military Journey
Momoh's military career began in 1958 when he joined the Royal West African Frontier Force. He received training in Ghana and Nigeria. Later, he traveled to the United Kingdom for more training at military schools.
In 1963, he became a second lieutenant in the Royal Sierra Leone Military Forces. He quickly moved up in rank. He became a major and took command of Moa Barracks in Kailahun. By 1969, he was a lieutenant colonel. A year later, he was promoted to colonel.
In 1971, President Siaka Stevens appointed Momoh as the deputy force commander. This happened after a coup attempt. Momoh then became the force commander in November 1971. In 1974, he was made a minister of state. By 1983, he had reached the rank of major-general.
Becoming President of Sierra Leone
In 1985, Joseph Momoh became the leader of the All People's Congress (APC) political party. That same year, he became the only candidate in a special election. On October 8, 1985, he was elected as the next president.
Momoh became the second President of Sierra Leone on November 28, 1985. He served in this important role until April 29, 1992.
When he became president, Sierra Leone was facing many economic problems. Momoh tried to fix these issues. He declared a state of economic emergency to gain more control over the economy. However, he was seen by many as too weak to fully address the country's challenges. Some of his advisors were known for being corrupt.
The country's money lost value during his time as president. Sierra Leone sometimes struggled to afford basic things like fuel. This led to power outages that lasted for months.
Momoh worked hard to fight corruption in the government. He tried to stop dishonest practices like embezzlement and extortion. Many international observers felt he was successful in these efforts. This helped him build good relationships with leaders like British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and American President Ronald Reagan. Both leaders increased aid to Sierra Leone.
1987 Treason Trial
In March 1987, police discovered a plot to harm President Momoh and overthrow the government. They found weapons during a raid in Freetown.
The Inspector General of Police ordered the arrest of several people. Among them was Francis Minah, who was the First Vice President. A trial for treason followed, lasting five months. In October 1987, the jury found the former Vice President and 17 others guilty. They were sentenced to death. International observers from several countries agreed that the trial was fair.
Sierra Leone and the Gulf War
Under President Momoh's leadership, Sierra Leone joined other nations in opposing Saddam Hussein's actions. This was during the 1991 Persian Gulf War, when Iraq had taken over Kuwait.
Steps Towards Democracy
In September 1991, during the start of the Sierra Leone Civil War, Momoh introduced a new constitution. This new law ended the one-party system that had been in place since 1978. It brought back multiparty democracy, allowing different political parties to exist. He also worked to reduce tribalism in the country.
British Prime Minister John Major and American President George H. W. Bush praised these reforms. They called them important steps toward democracy. Momoh considered them genuine friends of Sierra Leone.
Military Coup
Despite his efforts, Momoh's reforms came too late to prevent further problems in Sierra Leone. In April 1992, he was overthrown by a military coup. This coup was led by Valentine Strasser, a 25-year-old army captain.
A group of young soldiers marched to Freetown from the war front. They were fighting the Revolutionary United Front (RUF). The soldiers were upset about their poor working conditions and unpaid salaries. On April 29, 1992, Captain Valentine Strasser announced the military takeover on the radio.
President Momoh fled Sierra Leone and found safety in neighboring Guinea.
Exile and Death
Joseph Momoh was given political asylum in Guinea by President Lansana Conté. He lived in a mansion in Conakry. Momoh passed away on August 2, 2003, at the age of 66. He spent his final years as a guest of the Guinean government.
Honours
Joseph Momoh received several important awards during his life.
- In 1971, he was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by the United Kingdom.
- In 1974, President Siaka Stevens honored him with the Order of the Rokel from Sierra Leone.
Sierra Leone: Order of the Rokel (1974)
United Kingdom: Order of the British Empire (1971)
See also
In Spanish: Joseph Saidu Momoh para niños
