Andrew Juxon-Smith: Sierra Leone’s First Military Ruler | The Forgotten West African Leader

During the 60's, Sierra Leone like the many other African countries recently emerged from colonial rule struggled to find its own way and almost succeeded in electing a democratic government.
In the 1967 elections in which the opposition won, a military coup took place, and the army took over power. A disciplinary or disciplinarian named Andrew Juxton-Smith with the rank of lieutenant colonel was called back from his studies in London and installed as Head of State.

Those who remember Andrew's leadership claim that he is the only uncorrupt leader in Sierra Leone's
Independent history. He is remembered for accepted no bribes and no favours.

His measures and attention to detail and also his propensity for lecturing people on what it means to work hard didn't win him many friends.
He tackled tribal divisions and cracked down hard on government corruption.
His military government closed down state plantations that were inefficient, raised taxes and import duties, fired venal politicians and put the economy in the hands of professional administrators, all of which brought significant unemployment, leading to a growing unpopularity in the country.
To many, corruption seemed preferable to Juxon-Smith's long-term measures and strictness.

Eventually, a coup, which was welcomed by the common people, removed him from power only 13 months into his rule, and landed him in jail together with almost all his officers.

In this episode, we cover the life story of a forgotten west African leader who once ruled over the tiny west African nation of Sierra Leone in the 1960's.

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