Strasser Exiled to Conakry, Guinea with Support from High-Ranking NPRC Junta Soldiers

On January 16, 1996, a significant political upheaval occurred in Sierra Leone when Valentine Strasser, who had been in power for approximately four years, was ousted in a coup led by his own bodyguards. The coup was orchestrated by Julius Maada Bio, who was supported by numerous high-ranking soldiers from the National Provisional Ruling Council (NPRC) junta. Following his arrest, Strasser was swiftly flown into exile in Conakry, Guinea. In a public broadcast, Bio articulated his motivations for the coup, emphasizing his commitment to restoring a democratically elected civilian government in Sierra Leone and his dedication to ending the ongoing civil war that had plagued the nation. This coup marked a pivotal moment in Sierra Leone's tumultuous political landscape, as it set the stage for subsequent efforts to stabilize the country and address the pressing issues of governance and civil conflict.