Local Government in an African Bifurcated State, Sierra Leone: An Overview on its Development under Colonial Rule

Abstract

Reestablishment of local government institutions and decentralization of government services are one of the most important political reforms in post-conflict Sierra Leone. This article examines the historical development of local government institutions in Sierra Leone under the British rule to more fully understand the ongoing process of her local government reform and decentralization. In 1896 a protectorate was proclaimed over the Sierra Leone hinterland, dividing it into more than 200chiefdoms, and the Colonial Government introduced indirect rule system in which traditional rulers like paramount chiefs played a significant political role. In 1937 the Native Administration system was introduced and Tribal Authorities were established as the first local government institutions in the Protectorate. District Councils were established as conferences of chiefs in the mid-1940s and were given welfare and development functions in the 1950s. These local government institutions in the Protectorate developed mainly within the scope of chiefs' strong influence. The colonial legacy significantly affected local governance in post-independence Sierra Leone.