BANGURA, JOHN AMADU

John Amadu Bangura (March 8, 1930-June 29, 1971) was a career officer in the Sierra Leone armed forces. He briefly headed an interim government in 1968 and was executed in 1971 after unsuccessfully attempting to overthrow the Sierra Leone government.

PHOTO CAPTION: Bangura, J.A. SOURCE: Ancestors Family Search

He was born of Loko parentage, at Kalangba, in the Bombali district of the Northern province. He received his primary school education at Binkolo, and later at the American Wesleyan Methodist School in Rogbane, both of which were also in the Bombali district. He then attended Koyeima Central School and then attended the Bo Government School. He finished his schooling in 1949.

He joined the army as a private in 1950. He attended military courses in what is now Ghana and Nigeria, gaining the distinction of graduating first in the platoon commander’s course in Ghana, organised for warrant officers and senior non-commissioned officers. After showing much talent and promise, he was sent to the British Military Academy at Sandhurst in England, where he received officer cadet training. After graduating, he was transferred to Mons Officers’ Cadet School at Eaton Hall, Chester, England, in 1952. In August 1954, he graduated with the rank of second lieutenant.

Returning home in 1955, Bangura was appointed platoon commander of ‘A’ Rifle Company in the 1st Battalion of the Royal Sierra Leone Regiment, rising to the rank of captain in 1958. When the United Nations sent a peacekeeping force to the Zaire (now Congo) in the early 1960s, Bangura served there in 1963 with the first United Nations Emergency Force (U.N.E.F.). On his return, he was promoted to major, and in 1964 became lieutenant-colonel and commander of the 1st Battalion. In 1966 he became a colonel.

Shortly before the 1967 general elections, Bangura was arrested and detained on charges of mutiny. He was, however, released before long, and appointed counsellor and head of the chancery at the Sierra Leone Embassy in Washington. When, during the political crisis following the 1967 general elections, the military seized power, Bangura unceremoniously abandoned his diplomatic appointment and proceeded to the Republic of Guinea in an effort to overthrow the military government of the National Reformation Council (N. R.C.) in Sierra Leone.

In April 1968, however, the N.R.C. was, overthrown by a revolt of non-commissioned officers. Bangura was immediately recalled to become chairman of the National Interim Council which, for a brief period, was the effective government of the country.

Bangura, upon assuming leadership, promised to return the country to civilian rule within a week. He kept his promise and ensured the return of Siaka Stevens as prime minister. After this, Bangura, who resumed his command of the 1st Battalion, also became commander of the Royal Sierra Leone Military Forces. In May 1969, he was promoted to brigadier and, in the 1970 New Year’s Honours Awards, received the decoration of Commander of the British Empire (C.B.E.), Military Division.

In March 1971, Brigadier Bangura was arrested with other senior officers on charges of mutiny and treason, in attempting to overthrow the government he had been instrumental in returning to power, by unlawful means. Convicted and sentenced to death, he was hanged, together with three other senior officers, at Pademba Road prisons the same year.

ARTHUR ABRAHAM