-
Valentine Strasser: The youngest African President
Valentine Strasser was the youngest African president at the time he took power on 29th April 1992 aged just 25years.
The story of his takeover and how he survived for four years is one that's worth telling in this episode. Maybe Stressar could have lasted longer had he not made so many mistakes. External factors like the war in Liberia that was fueled by the minerals in his country also were contributing factor to the destabilization of the country.
Eventually, Strasser kicked out of power in 1996 by his second in command, Julius Maada Bio, the current president of Sierra Leone. Stressar currently lives with his mother in Freetown in dire poverty.
published: 29 Nov 2020
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VALENTINE STRASSER: The Youngest African President! | African Biographics
This is the story of Valentine Strasser from Sierra Leone, who at the age of 25, found himself as the newly installed leader of a nation of 4 million people, and the commander-in-chief of a fractious and impoverished army.
He and his cronies seized power in a military coup in 1992 and Strasser ruled for four years until he was deposed, as you would have probably guessed by now, via another coup.
How this 25 year old came to be a head of state is unusual even by the experience of West African dictatorships. In this episode of African Biographics we look at the Valentine Strasser’s improbable rise to executive power and his sad fall into abject poverty.
**********************************************************************************************
Samuel Doe Video:
https://youtu.be/XZhiOo...
published: 29 Jan 2021
-
African Leaders After Service: The Curious Case of Capt. Valentine Strasser
The temporariness of power seems to be a lesson completely lost on many individuals, including African leaders, who find themselves in the position to wield it. Whether through the ballot or through the gun-barrel, many of those at the helm of African nations often realise, after they bow out, that power is an illusion.
The continent has seen exemplary and outstanding leaders like South Africa’s Nelson Mandela, Julius Nyerere of Tanzania, and Ghana’s Jerry Rawlings, revered at home and abroad.
There have also been a host of tyrants and despots notorious for their misrule, including Idi Amin of Uganda, Jean-Bedel Bokassa of Central African Republic, Mobutu Sese Seko of Zaire, now Democratic Republic of Congo, and Samuel Doe of Liberia.
These men are no longer living, but there are ...
published: 05 Jan 2021
-
From Power to Poverty: How Africa's Youngest President Lost It All
On April 29, 1992, Valentine Strasser, a 25 years old soldier, took the reins of Sierra Leone, a small diamond-rich country in West Africa, overseeing the lives of over 4 million people. His rise to power was a mix of fate, chance, and hopeful yet bizarre choices by both patriots and opportunists who felt he could easily be a vessel for their puppetic control. Unfortunately, things took a turn for the worse for Strasser, and a single poor decision continues to haunt him to this day.
He went from being the commander-in-chief and head of state of Sierra Leone, embodying power and affluence, to a deposed, destitute, wretched, and homeless individual, castigated and despised worldwide, except by his mother, who painstakingly cares for him whenever he returns from begging for dry gin in the ne...
published: 10 Dec 2024
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SIERRA LEONE: COUP D'ETAT TOPPLES MILITARY LEADER
(16 Jan 1996) English/Nat
Sierra Leone's military leader is reported to have been ousted by fellow officers in a coup.
State-run radio says Captain Valentine Strasser was deposed six weeks before planned elections to return the country to civilian rule.
There are no reports of bloodshed, and Captain Strasser has been promised safe passage out of his war-torn, impoverished country.
A statement read out on the radio says Strasser has been replaced by his former closest associate in the military junta, Brigadier Julius Maada Bio.
The overthrow appeared to set the stage for another indefinite term of military rule in one of West Africa's most troubled nations.
Bio was recently interviewed by APTV in Sierra Leone.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Our problem now is we have ...
published: 21 Jul 2015
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Rtd. Captain Valentine Esegragbo Melvin Strasser One On One 2018
Rtd. Captain Valentine Esegragbo Melvin Strasser One On One with Abdul Rahman Kamara on FAMILIARISE WITH THE LAW on Star TV. Video Credit: Star Tv Sierra Leone
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published: 21 Mar 2018
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Kao Denero - Story of Valentine Strasser (reaction)
Like, subscribe and share
This Audio slide reaction video is about Valentine Esegragbo Melvin Strasser a young military in Sierra Leone and a politician, who became the world youngest head of state at just 25yr from 1992 - 1996 after a coup.
#kaodenero #teaser #valentinestrasser #history #educational #motivation #facts #storyoflumumba #storytime #stories #historians #stories #mystory #lifestories #lifeinvents
****Copyright**** Disclaimer Under Section
107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statutes that might otherwise be infringing. Topical discussions, educational or personal use tips the balance in favour of fair use. No copy...
published: 07 Aug 2021
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Sierra Leone - Military Leader Overthrown
(16 Jan 1996) T/I: 11:30:26
Sierra Leone's military leader Captain Valentine Strasser was overthrown in a coup on Tuesday (16/1), it was announced on state-run radio. Strasser, who was promised safe passage out of the country, was
deposed by General Julius Maada Bio, the vice-chairman of the ruling Supreme Council of State and a former close associate of Strasser.
SHOWS:
(taken from Story No. w032161)
FILE
BO, SIERRA LEONE, 1 DEC. 1995
WS crowded town centre, zoom in to crowd.
Man in crowd.
Soldier walking through crowd.
Truck with soldier aboard moves through crowd.
FREETOWN, SIERRA LEONE, 2 DEC. 1995
Brigadier Julius Maada Bio, before Tuesday the second-in-command in the military government and chief of defense staff, saying of the rebellion: "It's going to be very ...
published: 12 Aug 2023
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Youngest African President Ever - Headline Hitters 4 Ep 3
In this Episode, I tell the story of Valentine Essegragbo Melvin Strasser. The youngest African president who assumed office at the tender age of 25 years 3 days.
HEADLINE HITTERS: https://bit.ly/3GtDz2b
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published: 21 Jan 2022
-
The RISE and FALL Of Africa's Youngest President, Valentine Strasser. Who Was He?
The Life of Valentine Strasser: Africa’s Youngest President.
Valentine Strasser is a former President of Sierra Leone who came to power in a military coup in 1992 and served as President until 1996.
However, after leaving office, Strasser’s fortunes took a turn for the worse and he is now considered to be one of the world’s poorest past presidents. This is an unusual case as many former heads of state can maintain significant wealth and power after leaving office.
Valentine Strasser holds the record for becoming the youngest head of state in Africa, where young people are given little to no respect for running for office.
You will agree with us that it is challenging to lead a country under a military government, but Valentine Strasser managed to do it.
How was he able to do so? In...
published: 25 Feb 2023
14:39
Valentine Strasser: The youngest African President
Valentine Strasser was the youngest African president at the time he took power on 29th April 1992 aged just 25years.
The story of his takeover and how he su...
Valentine Strasser was the youngest African president at the time he took power on 29th April 1992 aged just 25years.
The story of his takeover and how he survived for four years is one that's worth telling in this episode. Maybe Stressar could have lasted longer had he not made so many mistakes. External factors like the war in Liberia that was fueled by the minerals in his country also were contributing factor to the destabilization of the country.
Eventually, Strasser kicked out of power in 1996 by his second in command, Julius Maada Bio, the current president of Sierra Leone. Stressar currently lives with his mother in Freetown in dire poverty.
https://wn.com/Valentine_Strasser_The_Youngest_African_President
Valentine Strasser was the youngest African president at the time he took power on 29th April 1992 aged just 25years.
The story of his takeover and how he survived for four years is one that's worth telling in this episode. Maybe Stressar could have lasted longer had he not made so many mistakes. External factors like the war in Liberia that was fueled by the minerals in his country also were contributing factor to the destabilization of the country.
Eventually, Strasser kicked out of power in 1996 by his second in command, Julius Maada Bio, the current president of Sierra Leone. Stressar currently lives with his mother in Freetown in dire poverty.
- published: 29 Nov 2020
- views: 466926
9:43
VALENTINE STRASSER: The Youngest African President! | African Biographics
This is the story of Valentine Strasser from Sierra Leone, who at the age of 25, found himself as the newly installed leader of a nation of 4 million people, an...
This is the story of Valentine Strasser from Sierra Leone, who at the age of 25, found himself as the newly installed leader of a nation of 4 million people, and the commander-in-chief of a fractious and impoverished army.
He and his cronies seized power in a military coup in 1992 and Strasser ruled for four years until he was deposed, as you would have probably guessed by now, via another coup.
How this 25 year old came to be a head of state is unusual even by the experience of West African dictatorships. In this episode of African Biographics we look at the Valentine Strasser’s improbable rise to executive power and his sad fall into abject poverty.
**********************************************************************************************
Samuel Doe Video:
https://youtu.be/XZhiOoX_FtM
*********************************************************************************************
Sources:
https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/monicamark/what-do-you-do-with-your-life-after-youve-already-been-the-w
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/03056249308703989
https://web.archive.org/web/20131210222818/http://www.journalism.columbia.edu/news/614
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valentine_Strasser
https://face2faceafrica.com/article/the-sad-end-of-valentine-strasser-the-youngest-african-president-at-age-25
http://www.thepatrioticvanguard.com/harvest-of-shame-the-case-of-former-leader-valentine-strasser
https://www.britannica.com/place/Sierra-Leone/Civil-war#ref517426
https://web.archive.org/web/20131221140653/http://www.newstatesman.com/africa/2012/01/sierra-leone-strasser-war
****************************************************************************
Music:
1) Youtube Studio
2) Kumasi Groove by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100183
Artist: http://incompetech.com/
***************************************************************************
#ValentineStrasser #SierraLeone
Feel free to reach out to us at
[email protected]
https://wn.com/Valentine_Strasser_The_Youngest_African_President_|_African_Biographics
This is the story of Valentine Strasser from Sierra Leone, who at the age of 25, found himself as the newly installed leader of a nation of 4 million people, and the commander-in-chief of a fractious and impoverished army.
He and his cronies seized power in a military coup in 1992 and Strasser ruled for four years until he was deposed, as you would have probably guessed by now, via another coup.
How this 25 year old came to be a head of state is unusual even by the experience of West African dictatorships. In this episode of African Biographics we look at the Valentine Strasser’s improbable rise to executive power and his sad fall into abject poverty.
**********************************************************************************************
Samuel Doe Video:
https://youtu.be/XZhiOoX_FtM
*********************************************************************************************
Sources:
https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/monicamark/what-do-you-do-with-your-life-after-youve-already-been-the-w
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/03056249308703989
https://web.archive.org/web/20131210222818/http://www.journalism.columbia.edu/news/614
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valentine_Strasser
https://face2faceafrica.com/article/the-sad-end-of-valentine-strasser-the-youngest-african-president-at-age-25
http://www.thepatrioticvanguard.com/harvest-of-shame-the-case-of-former-leader-valentine-strasser
https://www.britannica.com/place/Sierra-Leone/Civil-war#ref517426
https://web.archive.org/web/20131221140653/http://www.newstatesman.com/africa/2012/01/sierra-leone-strasser-war
****************************************************************************
Music:
1) Youtube Studio
2) Kumasi Groove by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100183
Artist: http://incompetech.com/
***************************************************************************
#ValentineStrasser #SierraLeone
Feel free to reach out to us at
[email protected]
- published: 29 Jan 2021
- views: 612074
4:00
African Leaders After Service: The Curious Case of Capt. Valentine Strasser
The temporariness of power seems to be a lesson completely lost on many individuals, including African leaders, who find themselves in the position to wield it....
The temporariness of power seems to be a lesson completely lost on many individuals, including African leaders, who find themselves in the position to wield it. Whether through the ballot or through the gun-barrel, many of those at the helm of African nations often realise, after they bow out, that power is an illusion.
The continent has seen exemplary and outstanding leaders like South Africa’s Nelson Mandela, Julius Nyerere of Tanzania, and Ghana’s Jerry Rawlings, revered at home and abroad.
There have also been a host of tyrants and despots notorious for their misrule, including Idi Amin of Uganda, Jean-Bedel Bokassa of Central African Republic, Mobutu Sese Seko of Zaire, now Democratic Republic of Congo, and Samuel Doe of Liberia.
These men are no longer living, but there are also several, whom fate has granted the privilege of staying alive to see the results of their rule … or misrule as the case may be.
The case of Africa’s one-time youngest head of state is nothing short of pathetic. Captain Valentine Strasser was 25 years old when he led a group of young officers to topple President Joseph Momoh of Sierra Leone in April 1992. He was overthrown by members of his own junta, 4 years later in January 1996.
Strasser left for the United Kingdom, where he studied law at the University of Warwick in Coventry, England. He dropped out after a year and returned to Sierra Leone where he now reportedly lives in penury.
The case of Strasser’s national next-door neighbour, Charles Taylor of Liberia is probably worse. He is currently languishing in jail in the UK. Taylor literally shot his way into reckoning after waging an armed uprising against President Samuel Doe. Although Taylor eventually came to power through elections in August 1997, his fearsome reputation ensured only a token opposition.
He ruled with an iron bloody fist for six years, until forced to resign amid international pressure in 2003. He was eventually convicted of crimes against humanity at the international criminal court at the Hague.
For South Africa’s Jacob Zuma, he might still be a free man but he is still being dogged by justice as he continues to face criminal charges of fraud, racketeering and money laundering, while in power.
In fact, Zuma is no stranger to the courts as, during his years in the presidency, he faced a range of charges including rape and corruption. After succeeding Thabo Mbeki in 2009, he was forced to resign in 2018 following a vote of no-confidence in Parliament.
In December 2020, South Africa’s Deputy Chief Justice ordered Zuma to resume testifying before the Zondo Commission, to answer charges of graft.
But it’s not entirely gloom for past African leaders, as a number of them, including Nigeria’s Olusegun Obasanjo, John Kuffour of Ghana and Liberia’s Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf have evolved into respected statesmen whose wisdom, experience and influence are being tapped, both in their home countries and across the continent.
If only leaders would remember that there is life after power, perhaps they would do things differently when they are in government. Except for those who ultimately desire to remain there for life. Even then, everything has an expiry date, including life itself.
.......................................
Don't forget to subscribe to our channel: https://bit.ly/2J1dFFf
Watch more amazing videos about #Africa: https://bit.ly/2J1
Watch News Central TV live: https://www.youtube.com/embed/live_stream?channel=UCPLKy4Ypb4mfblbjJI8Aljw
Get social with News Central TV:
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Read more news on our website: https://www.newscentral.africa/
https://wn.com/African_Leaders_After_Service_The_Curious_Case_Of_Capt._Valentine_Strasser
The temporariness of power seems to be a lesson completely lost on many individuals, including African leaders, who find themselves in the position to wield it. Whether through the ballot or through the gun-barrel, many of those at the helm of African nations often realise, after they bow out, that power is an illusion.
The continent has seen exemplary and outstanding leaders like South Africa’s Nelson Mandela, Julius Nyerere of Tanzania, and Ghana’s Jerry Rawlings, revered at home and abroad.
There have also been a host of tyrants and despots notorious for their misrule, including Idi Amin of Uganda, Jean-Bedel Bokassa of Central African Republic, Mobutu Sese Seko of Zaire, now Democratic Republic of Congo, and Samuel Doe of Liberia.
These men are no longer living, but there are also several, whom fate has granted the privilege of staying alive to see the results of their rule … or misrule as the case may be.
The case of Africa’s one-time youngest head of state is nothing short of pathetic. Captain Valentine Strasser was 25 years old when he led a group of young officers to topple President Joseph Momoh of Sierra Leone in April 1992. He was overthrown by members of his own junta, 4 years later in January 1996.
Strasser left for the United Kingdom, where he studied law at the University of Warwick in Coventry, England. He dropped out after a year and returned to Sierra Leone where he now reportedly lives in penury.
The case of Strasser’s national next-door neighbour, Charles Taylor of Liberia is probably worse. He is currently languishing in jail in the UK. Taylor literally shot his way into reckoning after waging an armed uprising against President Samuel Doe. Although Taylor eventually came to power through elections in August 1997, his fearsome reputation ensured only a token opposition.
He ruled with an iron bloody fist for six years, until forced to resign amid international pressure in 2003. He was eventually convicted of crimes against humanity at the international criminal court at the Hague.
For South Africa’s Jacob Zuma, he might still be a free man but he is still being dogged by justice as he continues to face criminal charges of fraud, racketeering and money laundering, while in power.
In fact, Zuma is no stranger to the courts as, during his years in the presidency, he faced a range of charges including rape and corruption. After succeeding Thabo Mbeki in 2009, he was forced to resign in 2018 following a vote of no-confidence in Parliament.
In December 2020, South Africa’s Deputy Chief Justice ordered Zuma to resume testifying before the Zondo Commission, to answer charges of graft.
But it’s not entirely gloom for past African leaders, as a number of them, including Nigeria’s Olusegun Obasanjo, John Kuffour of Ghana and Liberia’s Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf have evolved into respected statesmen whose wisdom, experience and influence are being tapped, both in their home countries and across the continent.
If only leaders would remember that there is life after power, perhaps they would do things differently when they are in government. Except for those who ultimately desire to remain there for life. Even then, everything has an expiry date, including life itself.
.......................................
Don't forget to subscribe to our channel: https://bit.ly/2J1dFFf
Watch more amazing videos about #Africa: https://bit.ly/2J1
Watch News Central TV live: https://www.youtube.com/embed/live_stream?channel=UCPLKy4Ypb4mfblbjJI8Aljw
Get social with News Central TV:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NewsCentralTV
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newscentraltv/
Read more news on our website: https://www.newscentral.africa/
- published: 05 Jan 2021
- views: 2153
20:43
From Power to Poverty: How Africa's Youngest President Lost It All
On April 29, 1992, Valentine Strasser, a 25 years old soldier, took the reins of Sierra Leone, a small diamond-rich country in West Africa, overseeing the lives...
On April 29, 1992, Valentine Strasser, a 25 years old soldier, took the reins of Sierra Leone, a small diamond-rich country in West Africa, overseeing the lives of over 4 million people. His rise to power was a mix of fate, chance, and hopeful yet bizarre choices by both patriots and opportunists who felt he could easily be a vessel for their puppetic control. Unfortunately, things took a turn for the worse for Strasser, and a single poor decision continues to haunt him to this day.
He went from being the commander-in-chief and head of state of Sierra Leone, embodying power and affluence, to a deposed, destitute, wretched, and homeless individual, castigated and despised worldwide, except by his mother, who painstakingly cares for him whenever he returns from begging for dry gin in the neighborhood. The aftermath of his downfall was further complicated by the amputation of his leg in 2019. The question remains, how did he end up here?
The events that unfolded after he seized power were more dramatic than strategic. But what went wrong?
This is the story of Valentine Esegragbo Melvin Strasser, the youngest African head of state ever, who plummeted from power to become a destitute beggar.
His ascension to power inspired the youth and the young at heart, who believed that a youth had finally emerged to champion their cause. Before, the youth was the Cinderella in the political, economic, and social machinery of the government. However, Strasser was neither trained nor groomed to steer the complex machinery and routine of government. Numerous folk were left petrified, some gasping for breath or biting their nails. His youthfulness as naivety multiplied his woes as well as the hatred of his endless foes. Again Strasser was chosen not necesarily because of his leadership or military expertise, but simply because he was one of the few who had completed secondary school, and his English was good enough to read the junta's declaration on the radio. As captain, he held a higher rank than his co-conspirators, and some argued that Strasser was chosen because those around him felt he could be easily manipulated.
Once in power, he vigorously pursued the rebel war against rebel leader Foday Sankoh as one of his top priorities. But he was able to bag little success. He broke the deadlock by hiring the mercenary firm Executive Outcomes to supplement the army: since most of them had defected to beef up the Revolutionary United Forces, the rebel army. Strasser’s government was highly welcomed and popular, with people even snapping up calendars decorated with Strasser as their redeemer. In no time, the redeemer introduced reforms by endorsing a two-year transition to democracy. The soldiers launched a cleanup campaign to rid the streets of garbage, and the economy began to improve, with gas and electricity becoming available again. Ambulances, which had all but disappeared from Freetown, were imported and put back to use. Freetown was painted with inspirational slogans and images of national heroes. Street crime was reduced, and inflation was lowered from 115% annually to less than 15%. The perpetually adversed Sierra Leoneans were pregnant with hope, believing that Strasser was the expected Messiah, who would usher the chlorophyll of change and champion the redemption of the people of Sierra Leone. Down the road their dreams would be prematurely shattered.
Strasser seemed to be in control and proved his critics wrong who had judged him based on his age. However, after a brief period, the euphoria faded. Eight months into his presidency, Strasser made the worst blunder that would haunt him long after he left power. He executed 29 innocent civilians by firing squad on a beach outside Freetown for a foiled attempted coup in December 1992. Some of the men involved in the plotting were even in prison at the time. Realizing his mistake, Strasser apologized and declared a nationwide period of mourning. He also promoted himself and his colleagues in the army ranks, which sowed confusion and resentment within the military. This meant that junior officers were suddenly taking orders from those who had previously been their peers.
In a coup led by his deputy, Brigadier General Julius Maada Bio, along with Colonel Tom Nyuma and Captain Komba Mondeh, Stresser was kicked out. Bio quickly rose as the leader of the coup, with the support of Nyuma and Mondeh and took over as Head of State of Sierra Leone.
Although Bio was only 30 at the time and harbored ambitions of becoming president, he allowed the election campaign to proceed. In March 1996, Ahmed Tejan Kabbah, a 64-year-old politician, was elected president.
#Africa
dictators
african
liberia
corruption
afristory
top african dictators of all time
#ValentineStrasser #SierraLeone #africahistory
https://wn.com/From_Power_To_Poverty_How_Africa's_Youngest_President_Lost_It_All
On April 29, 1992, Valentine Strasser, a 25 years old soldier, took the reins of Sierra Leone, a small diamond-rich country in West Africa, overseeing the lives of over 4 million people. His rise to power was a mix of fate, chance, and hopeful yet bizarre choices by both patriots and opportunists who felt he could easily be a vessel for their puppetic control. Unfortunately, things took a turn for the worse for Strasser, and a single poor decision continues to haunt him to this day.
He went from being the commander-in-chief and head of state of Sierra Leone, embodying power and affluence, to a deposed, destitute, wretched, and homeless individual, castigated and despised worldwide, except by his mother, who painstakingly cares for him whenever he returns from begging for dry gin in the neighborhood. The aftermath of his downfall was further complicated by the amputation of his leg in 2019. The question remains, how did he end up here?
The events that unfolded after he seized power were more dramatic than strategic. But what went wrong?
This is the story of Valentine Esegragbo Melvin Strasser, the youngest African head of state ever, who plummeted from power to become a destitute beggar.
His ascension to power inspired the youth and the young at heart, who believed that a youth had finally emerged to champion their cause. Before, the youth was the Cinderella in the political, economic, and social machinery of the government. However, Strasser was neither trained nor groomed to steer the complex machinery and routine of government. Numerous folk were left petrified, some gasping for breath or biting their nails. His youthfulness as naivety multiplied his woes as well as the hatred of his endless foes. Again Strasser was chosen not necesarily because of his leadership or military expertise, but simply because he was one of the few who had completed secondary school, and his English was good enough to read the junta's declaration on the radio. As captain, he held a higher rank than his co-conspirators, and some argued that Strasser was chosen because those around him felt he could be easily manipulated.
Once in power, he vigorously pursued the rebel war against rebel leader Foday Sankoh as one of his top priorities. But he was able to bag little success. He broke the deadlock by hiring the mercenary firm Executive Outcomes to supplement the army: since most of them had defected to beef up the Revolutionary United Forces, the rebel army. Strasser’s government was highly welcomed and popular, with people even snapping up calendars decorated with Strasser as their redeemer. In no time, the redeemer introduced reforms by endorsing a two-year transition to democracy. The soldiers launched a cleanup campaign to rid the streets of garbage, and the economy began to improve, with gas and electricity becoming available again. Ambulances, which had all but disappeared from Freetown, were imported and put back to use. Freetown was painted with inspirational slogans and images of national heroes. Street crime was reduced, and inflation was lowered from 115% annually to less than 15%. The perpetually adversed Sierra Leoneans were pregnant with hope, believing that Strasser was the expected Messiah, who would usher the chlorophyll of change and champion the redemption of the people of Sierra Leone. Down the road their dreams would be prematurely shattered.
Strasser seemed to be in control and proved his critics wrong who had judged him based on his age. However, after a brief period, the euphoria faded. Eight months into his presidency, Strasser made the worst blunder that would haunt him long after he left power. He executed 29 innocent civilians by firing squad on a beach outside Freetown for a foiled attempted coup in December 1992. Some of the men involved in the plotting were even in prison at the time. Realizing his mistake, Strasser apologized and declared a nationwide period of mourning. He also promoted himself and his colleagues in the army ranks, which sowed confusion and resentment within the military. This meant that junior officers were suddenly taking orders from those who had previously been their peers.
In a coup led by his deputy, Brigadier General Julius Maada Bio, along with Colonel Tom Nyuma and Captain Komba Mondeh, Stresser was kicked out. Bio quickly rose as the leader of the coup, with the support of Nyuma and Mondeh and took over as Head of State of Sierra Leone.
Although Bio was only 30 at the time and harbored ambitions of becoming president, he allowed the election campaign to proceed. In March 1996, Ahmed Tejan Kabbah, a 64-year-old politician, was elected president.
#Africa
dictators
african
liberia
corruption
afristory
top african dictators of all time
#ValentineStrasser #SierraLeone #africahistory
- published: 10 Dec 2024
- views: 37387
1:00
SIERRA LEONE: COUP D'ETAT TOPPLES MILITARY LEADER
(16 Jan 1996) English/Nat
Sierra Leone's military leader is reported to have been ousted by fellow officers in a coup.
State-run radio says Captain Valen...
(16 Jan 1996) English/Nat
Sierra Leone's military leader is reported to have been ousted by fellow officers in a coup.
State-run radio says Captain Valentine Strasser was deposed six weeks before planned elections to return the country to civilian rule.
There are no reports of bloodshed, and Captain Strasser has been promised safe passage out of his war-torn, impoverished country.
A statement read out on the radio says Strasser has been replaced by his former closest associate in the military junta, Brigadier Julius Maada Bio.
The overthrow appeared to set the stage for another indefinite term of military rule in one of West Africa's most troubled nations.
Bio was recently interviewed by APTV in Sierra Leone.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Our problem now is we have to deal with the present situation that we have and we want to appeal to the world to pay attention to us, like they've given a lot of publicity to the situation in Bosnia, Rwanda and also Liberia very close to us. We think we form part of the international community, irrespective of our size and that they should listen to the predicament of our people and come to the aid of this country which is very much in need of humanitarian assistance."
SUPER CAPTION: Brigadier Julius Maada Bio
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https://wn.com/Sierra_Leone_Coup_D'Etat_Topples_Military_Leader
(16 Jan 1996) English/Nat
Sierra Leone's military leader is reported to have been ousted by fellow officers in a coup.
State-run radio says Captain Valentine Strasser was deposed six weeks before planned elections to return the country to civilian rule.
There are no reports of bloodshed, and Captain Strasser has been promised safe passage out of his war-torn, impoverished country.
A statement read out on the radio says Strasser has been replaced by his former closest associate in the military junta, Brigadier Julius Maada Bio.
The overthrow appeared to set the stage for another indefinite term of military rule in one of West Africa's most troubled nations.
Bio was recently interviewed by APTV in Sierra Leone.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Our problem now is we have to deal with the present situation that we have and we want to appeal to the world to pay attention to us, like they've given a lot of publicity to the situation in Bosnia, Rwanda and also Liberia very close to us. We think we form part of the international community, irrespective of our size and that they should listen to the predicament of our people and come to the aid of this country which is very much in need of humanitarian assistance."
SUPER CAPTION: Brigadier Julius Maada Bio
Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork
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You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/d33088e2433e25dd10737bdcf68bfda9
- published: 21 Jul 2015
- views: 116429
43:31
Rtd. Captain Valentine Esegragbo Melvin Strasser One On One 2018
Rtd. Captain Valentine Esegragbo Melvin Strasser One On One with Abdul Rahman Kamara on FAMILIARISE WITH THE LAW on Star TV. Video Credit: Star Tv Sierra Leone
...
Rtd. Captain Valentine Esegragbo Melvin Strasser One On One with Abdul Rahman Kamara on FAMILIARISE WITH THE LAW on Star TV. Video Credit: Star Tv Sierra Leone
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https://wn.com/Rtd._Captain_Valentine_Esegragbo_Melvin_Strasser_One_On_One_2018
Rtd. Captain Valentine Esegragbo Melvin Strasser One On One with Abdul Rahman Kamara on FAMILIARISE WITH THE LAW on Star TV. Video Credit: Star Tv Sierra Leone
Our Android App: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=snradio.net.snradio
Latest News Website: http://www.snradio.net
FaceBook: http://www.facebook.com/SierraNetworkSalone
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/Salone2Bad
Twitter: http://twitter.com/sierra_n_salone
Radio: http://SNRadio.net
Radio TuneIn App: http://tun.in/sfgyD
SoundCould 1: http://www.soundcloud.com/sierra-network
SoundCould 2: https://soundcloud.com/sierra-network-sl
SoundCould 3: https://soundcloud.com/sierra-network-radio
Contact Us:
[email protected]
Sierra Network For All That Matters Sierra Leone
- published: 21 Mar 2018
- views: 192110
15:08
Kao Denero - Story of Valentine Strasser (reaction)
Like, subscribe and share
This Audio slide reaction video is about Valentine Esegragbo Melvin Strasser a young military in Sierra Leone and a politician, who ...
Like, subscribe and share
This Audio slide reaction video is about Valentine Esegragbo Melvin Strasser a young military in Sierra Leone and a politician, who became the world youngest head of state at just 25yr from 1992 - 1996 after a coup.
#kaodenero #teaser #valentinestrasser #history #educational #motivation #facts #storyoflumumba #storytime #stories #historians #stories #mystory #lifestories #lifeinvents
****Copyright**** Disclaimer Under Section
107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statutes that might otherwise be infringing. Topical discussions, educational or personal use tips the balance in favour of fair use. No copyright infringement intended. ALL RIGHTS BELONG TO THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS
https://wn.com/Kao_Denero_Story_Of_Valentine_Strasser_(Reaction)
Like, subscribe and share
This Audio slide reaction video is about Valentine Esegragbo Melvin Strasser a young military in Sierra Leone and a politician, who became the world youngest head of state at just 25yr from 1992 - 1996 after a coup.
#kaodenero #teaser #valentinestrasser #history #educational #motivation #facts #storyoflumumba #storytime #stories #historians #stories #mystory #lifestories #lifeinvents
****Copyright**** Disclaimer Under Section
107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statutes that might otherwise be infringing. Topical discussions, educational or personal use tips the balance in favour of fair use. No copyright infringement intended. ALL RIGHTS BELONG TO THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS
- published: 07 Aug 2021
- views: 2211
1:37
Sierra Leone - Military Leader Overthrown
(16 Jan 1996) T/I: 11:30:26
Sierra Leone's military leader Captain Valentine Strasser was overthrown in a coup on Tuesday (16/1), it was announced on sta...
(16 Jan 1996) T/I: 11:30:26
Sierra Leone's military leader Captain Valentine Strasser was overthrown in a coup on Tuesday (16/1), it was announced on state-run radio. Strasser, who was promised safe passage out of the country, was
deposed by General Julius Maada Bio, the vice-chairman of the ruling Supreme Council of State and a former close associate of Strasser.
SHOWS:
(taken from Story No. w032161)
FILE
BO, SIERRA LEONE, 1 DEC. 1995
WS crowded town centre, zoom in to crowd.
Man in crowd.
Soldier walking through crowd.
Truck with soldier aboard moves through crowd.
FREETOWN, SIERRA LEONE, 2 DEC. 1995
Brigadier Julius Maada Bio, before Tuesday the second-in-command in the military government and chief of defense staff, saying of the rebellion: "It's going to be very difficult for any leadership, but I think the challenge is with the nation and they have to choose the appropriate leader to cope in a situation like this."
OUTSKIRTS OF BO, SIERRA LEONE, 2 DEC. 1995
WS and zoom to roadblock checkpoint with car.
Soldier with weapon at checkpoint.
Soldiers close car bonnet.
Truck stopped.
People herded out of truck.
VILLAGE NEAR BO, SIERRA LEONE, 1 DEC., 1995
WS and pan of village after rebel attack.
MS house with roof destroyed.
Children amid ruins.
(taken from Story No. w019006)
FREETOWN, SIERRA LEONE, JANUARY 1995
Street scenes and WS of Freetown Bay.
Traffic in Freetown.
Street market and produce.
WS of street in poverty-stricken area.
1.37
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You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/acc63aac10b67902745b48fa2912ecf2
https://wn.com/Sierra_Leone_Military_Leader_Overthrown
(16 Jan 1996) T/I: 11:30:26
Sierra Leone's military leader Captain Valentine Strasser was overthrown in a coup on Tuesday (16/1), it was announced on state-run radio. Strasser, who was promised safe passage out of the country, was
deposed by General Julius Maada Bio, the vice-chairman of the ruling Supreme Council of State and a former close associate of Strasser.
SHOWS:
(taken from Story No. w032161)
FILE
BO, SIERRA LEONE, 1 DEC. 1995
WS crowded town centre, zoom in to crowd.
Man in crowd.
Soldier walking through crowd.
Truck with soldier aboard moves through crowd.
FREETOWN, SIERRA LEONE, 2 DEC. 1995
Brigadier Julius Maada Bio, before Tuesday the second-in-command in the military government and chief of defense staff, saying of the rebellion: "It's going to be very difficult for any leadership, but I think the challenge is with the nation and they have to choose the appropriate leader to cope in a situation like this."
OUTSKIRTS OF BO, SIERRA LEONE, 2 DEC. 1995
WS and zoom to roadblock checkpoint with car.
Soldier with weapon at checkpoint.
Soldiers close car bonnet.
Truck stopped.
People herded out of truck.
VILLAGE NEAR BO, SIERRA LEONE, 1 DEC., 1995
WS and pan of village after rebel attack.
MS house with roof destroyed.
Children amid ruins.
(taken from Story No. w019006)
FREETOWN, SIERRA LEONE, JANUARY 1995
Street scenes and WS of Freetown Bay.
Traffic in Freetown.
Street market and produce.
WS of street in poverty-stricken area.
1.37
Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/
You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/acc63aac10b67902745b48fa2912ecf2
- published: 12 Aug 2023
- views: 5734
26:01
Youngest African President Ever - Headline Hitters 4 Ep 3
In this Episode, I tell the story of Valentine Essegragbo Melvin Strasser. The youngest African president who assumed office at the tender age of 25 years 3 day...
In this Episode, I tell the story of Valentine Essegragbo Melvin Strasser. The youngest African president who assumed office at the tender age of 25 years 3 days.
HEADLINE HITTERS: https://bit.ly/3GtDz2b
Other mkurugenzi abel mutua stories: https://bit.ly/3sMl7tF
Submit a Story:
[email protected]
Official Mkurugenzi Podcast: https://spoti.fi/3sL0YXT
Mkurugenzi Merch: https://mkurugenzi.co.ke/
SUBSCRIBE NOW: https://bit.ly/3gQxC4q
Thanks For Watching!!!!
Support Ya Mkurugenzi
Mpesa No. - 0798 659792 - Judy Mureithi
Mpesa Till - 5283289
For Merchandise and Live Recording Tickets go to https://mkurugenzi.co.ke/
https://wn.com/Youngest_African_President_Ever_Headline_Hitters_4_Ep_3
In this Episode, I tell the story of Valentine Essegragbo Melvin Strasser. The youngest African president who assumed office at the tender age of 25 years 3 days.
HEADLINE HITTERS: https://bit.ly/3GtDz2b
Other mkurugenzi abel mutua stories: https://bit.ly/3sMl7tF
Submit a Story:
[email protected]
Official Mkurugenzi Podcast: https://spoti.fi/3sL0YXT
Mkurugenzi Merch: https://mkurugenzi.co.ke/
SUBSCRIBE NOW: https://bit.ly/3gQxC4q
Thanks For Watching!!!!
Support Ya Mkurugenzi
Mpesa No. - 0798 659792 - Judy Mureithi
Mpesa Till - 5283289
For Merchandise and Live Recording Tickets go to https://mkurugenzi.co.ke/
- published: 21 Jan 2022
- views: 306524
10:06
The RISE and FALL Of Africa's Youngest President, Valentine Strasser. Who Was He?
The Life of Valentine Strasser: Africa’s Youngest President.
Valentine Strasser is a former President of Sierra Leone who came to power in a military coup in 1...
The Life of Valentine Strasser: Africa’s Youngest President.
Valentine Strasser is a former President of Sierra Leone who came to power in a military coup in 1992 and served as President until 1996.
However, after leaving office, Strasser’s fortunes took a turn for the worse and he is now considered to be one of the world’s poorest past presidents. This is an unusual case as many former heads of state can maintain significant wealth and power after leaving office.
Valentine Strasser holds the record for becoming the youngest head of state in Africa, where young people are given little to no respect for running for office.
You will agree with us that it is challenging to lead a country under a military government, but Valentine Strasser managed to do it.
How was he able to do so? In this video, we will be talking about the life of Valentine Strasser, his rise and fall as the youngest president, and also his fall into abject poverty.
The Rise and Fall Of Thomas Sankara:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQmU_1XMZVU
The Rise and Fall of General Sani Abacha:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtAe6k7oalA
The Rise and Fall Of Kwame Nkrumah:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ylQUAjT1Lc
The Plan To Take Over Africa Again:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5d_IqIav5eU
https://wn.com/The_Rise_And_Fall_Of_Africa's_Youngest_President,_Valentine_Strasser._Who_Was_He
The Life of Valentine Strasser: Africa’s Youngest President.
Valentine Strasser is a former President of Sierra Leone who came to power in a military coup in 1992 and served as President until 1996.
However, after leaving office, Strasser’s fortunes took a turn for the worse and he is now considered to be one of the world’s poorest past presidents. This is an unusual case as many former heads of state can maintain significant wealth and power after leaving office.
Valentine Strasser holds the record for becoming the youngest head of state in Africa, where young people are given little to no respect for running for office.
You will agree with us that it is challenging to lead a country under a military government, but Valentine Strasser managed to do it.
How was he able to do so? In this video, we will be talking about the life of Valentine Strasser, his rise and fall as the youngest president, and also his fall into abject poverty.
The Rise and Fall Of Thomas Sankara:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQmU_1XMZVU
The Rise and Fall of General Sani Abacha:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtAe6k7oalA
The Rise and Fall Of Kwame Nkrumah:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ylQUAjT1Lc
The Plan To Take Over Africa Again:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5d_IqIav5eU
- published: 25 Feb 2023
- views: 23476