Decline of Portuguese Colonialism in West Africa and Rise of Other European Powers in Sierra Leone

By the 17th century, the Portuguese influence in West Africa, particularly in Sierra Leone, began to decline significantly. This period marked a shift in colonial power dynamics as other European nations, notably the English and Dutch, started to establish their presence in the region. The English made their move in 1628 when a group of merchants set up a factory near Sherbro, signaling the beginning of a new era of colonial competition. The Portuguese, who had been the dominant force in the area, saw their influence diminish as these new powers sought to expand their trade and territorial claims. Despite the decline of Portuguese colonialism, missionary efforts continued in Sierra Leone, with figures like Baltasar Barreira serving until 1610. Jesuit missionaries followed, and later, Capuchins took up the mantle, although by 1700, the mission had effectively closed, with only occasional visits from priests. This transition period was crucial in shaping the future of Sierra Leone and the broader West African region, as it laid the groundwork for the complex colonial interactions that would follow.