World Factbook
Sierra Leone
Republic of Sierra Leone
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
description: three equal horizontal bands of light green (top), white, and light blue meaning: green stands for agriculture, mountains, and natural resources; white for unity and justice; and blue for the sea and the natural harbor in Freetown
Capital
name
Freetown
etymology
the name described the original settlement in 1781, which served as a haven for free-born and freed African Americans
time difference
UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
8 29 N, 13 14 W
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
no
citizenship by descent only
at least one parent or grandparent must be a citizen of Sierra Leone
dual citizenship recognized
yes
residency requirement for naturalization
5 years
Constitution
history
several previous; latest effective 1 October 1991
amendment process
proposed by Parliament; passage of amendments requires at least two-thirds majority vote of Parliament in two successive readings and assent of the president of the republic; passage of amendments affecting fundamental rights and freedoms and many other constitutional sections also requires approval in a referendum with participation of at least one half of qualified voters and at least two thirds of votes cast
Country name
etymology
Portuguese explorer Pedro de SINTRA is usually credited with naming the country "Serra da Leao" (Lion Mountains) in 1462, but Venetian explorer Alvise CA' DA MOSTO recorded the name as "Serre-Lionne" in 1457, referring to the rumbling of thunder over the mountains
local long form
Republic of Sierra Leone
local short form
Sierra Leone
conventional long form
Republic of Sierra Leone
conventional short form
Sierra Leone
Independence
27 April 1961 (from the UK)
Legal system
mixed system of English common law and customary law
Government type
presidential republic
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Superior Court of Judicature (consists of the Supreme Court at the top, with the chief justice and 4 other judges, the Court of Appeal with the chief justice and 7 other judges, and the High Court of Justice with the chief justice and 9 other judges)
subordinate courts
magistrates' courts; District Appeals Court; local courts
judge selection and term of office
Supreme Court chief justice and other judges of the Judicature appointed by the president on the advice of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission, a 7-member independent body of judges, presidential appointees, and the Commission chairman, and are subject to approval by Parliament; all Judicature judges serve until retirement at age 65
Executive branch
note
note: the president is chief of state, head of government, and minister of defense
cabinet
Ministers of State appointed by the president, approved by Parliament; the cabinet is responsible to the president
chief of state
President Julius Maada BIO (since 27 June 2023)
election results
2023: Julius Maada BIO reelected president in first round; percent of vote - Julius Maada BIO (SLPP) 56.2%, Samura KAMARA (APC) 41.2%, other 2.6% 2018: Julius Maada BIO elected president in second round; percent of vote - Julius Maada BIO (SLPP) 51.8%, Samura KAMARA (APC) 48.2%
head of government
President Julius Maada BIO (since 27 June 2023)
most recent election date
24 June 2023
election/appointment process
president directly elected by 55% in the first round or absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term)
expected date of next election
June 2028
National holiday
Independence Day, 27 April (1961)
National color(s)
green, white, blue
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
1 (natural)
selected World Heritage Site locales
Gola-Tiwai Complex (n)
Political parties
All People's Congress or APC Sierra Leone People's Party or SLPP
Legislative branch
note
note: 14 seats are reserved for "paramount chiefs," who are indirectly elected to represent the 14 provincial districts
term in office
5 years
number of seats
149 (135 directly elected; 14 indirectly elected)
electoral system
proportional representation
legislature name
Parliament
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
6/24/2023
expected date of next election
June 2028
percentage of women in chamber
29.5%
parties elected and seats per party
Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) (81); All People's Congress (APC) (54)
National anthem(s)
title
"High We Exalt Thee, Realm of the Free"
history
adopted 1961
lyrics/music
Clifford Nelson FYLE/John Joseph AKA
National symbol(s)
lion
Administrative divisions
4 provinces and 1 area*; Eastern, Northern, North Western, Southern, Western*
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 483-1793
chancery
1701 19th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009-1605
telephone
[1] (202) 939-9261
chief of mission
Ambassador Amara Sheikh Mohammed SOWA (since 24 July 2025)
email address and website
info@embassyofsierraleone.net https://embassyofsierraleone.net/
Diplomatic representation from the US
embassy
Southridge-Hill Station, Freetown
telephone
[232] 99 105 000
mailing address
2160 Freetown Place, Washington DC 20521-2160
chief of mission
Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Jared M. YANCEY (since 18 September 2025)
email address and website
consularfreetown@state.gov https://sl.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
ACP, AfDB, ATMIS, AU, C, ECOWAS, EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO (pending member), ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNOOSA, UNSOM, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction