Valentine Strasser facts for kids

Valentine Esegragbo Melvine Strasser (born 26 April 1967) is a former military officer from Sierra Leone. He served as the head of state of Sierra Leone from 1992 to 1996. When he took power in 1992, just after his 25th birthday, he became the youngest head of state in the world.

Strasser grew up in Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone. After finishing high school, he joined the army at 18. In 1992, he led a group of soldiers who took control of the government. This happened during the Sierra Leone Civil War. He then formed a military government called the National Provisional Ruling Council (NPRC). During the war, he hired a company called Executive Outcomes to help fight the rebel group, the Revolutionary United Front (RUF).

After almost four years, Strasser was removed from power in 1996 by another military takeover. This was led by his deputy, Julius Maada Bio. After this, Strasser lived in England for a while. He later returned to Sierra Leone.

Early Life and Education

Valentine Esegragbo Melvin Strasser was born on April 26, 1967, in Freetown, Sierra Leone. His parents were from the Creole ethnic group. He grew up in the Allen Town area of Freetown.

Strasser attended the Sierra Leone Grammar School in Freetown. He finished his secondary education in 1985 when he was 18 years old. He was a talented student, especially in math and chemistry.

Joining the Military

After graduating from high school in 1985, Strasser joined the Republic of Sierra Leone Military Forces (RSLMF). He was 18 at the time. He trained as a cadet officer at the Benguema Military Training Academy. This academy is located near Freetown.

At 19, he became an officer in the Sierra Leone army. He was sent to a military barracks in Daru, in Eastern Sierra Leone.

Fighting in the Civil War

The Revolutionary United Front (RUF) rebel group started their first attack on March 25, 1991. This happened in villages in the Kailahun District. Strasser and other soldiers were sent to fight against this rebellion.

Before President Joseph Saidu Momoh was removed, Strasser fought against an invasion from Liberia. He also fought against local rebels. President Momoh's government faced challenges because people wanted a more open political system.

Taking Control of the Government (1992)

While Strasser was fighting the RUF, the government did not always provide enough supplies or pay soldiers on time. Soldiers felt their needs were not a priority.

On April 29, 1992, Strasser and other young soldiers marched from Kailahun to the State House in Freetown. They were protesting about the war and demanding their unpaid salaries. Strasser led this group with his friends, Seargent Solomon Musa and Captain Sahr Sandy.

When the soldiers arrived, President Momoh left the country and went to exile in Guinea. Because the government was no longer in charge, Strasser and his men decided to take power. They formed the NPRC, with Strasser as its leader. He became the Head of State of Sierra Leone at just 25 years old.

Being Removed from Power (1996)

In January 1996, after almost four years as leader, Strasser was removed from power. This happened in another military coup. This time, it was members of his own NPRC who were unhappy with how he was handling the peace process.

The coup was led by his deputy, Brigadier General Julius Maada Bio. Colonel Tom Nyuma and Captain Komba Mondeh also supported it. Bio quickly became the new Head of State of Sierra Leone.

Life After Leadership

After being removed from power, Strasser received a scholarship from the UN. He went to study law at the University of Warwick in England. However, he stopped his studies after 18 months.

In 2000, he tried to get asylum in England, but it was not approved. He then tried to enter the Gambia, but was denied entry there too. Eventually, he returned to Sierra Leone. He lived a simpler life in Grafton, near Freetown. He also worked at an ICT Institute, teaching computer skills to young people.

In January 2019, Strasser became very ill and was taken to Ghana for medical care. Part of his left leg was removed due to a health condition. After getting better, he returned to Sierra Leone in July 2021. President Bio gave him an apartment.

See also

In Spanish: Valentine Strasser para niños