Exactly 30 years ago, on January 16, 1996, the paths of three men became historically intertwined, altering Sierra Leone’s political trajectory. At the time, Captain Valentine Strasser was the sitting Head of State; Captain Kwegor Amara served as his Chief Security Officer (CSO); and Brigadier Julius Maada Bio was the Deputy Head of State.
On the night of January 15, 1996, covert plans were finalized to remove Strasser from power. As his CSO, Captain Kwegor Amara was recruited by Brigadier Julius Maada Bio and played a pivotal role in ensuring the plan’s success. By compromising the security around Strasser and isolating loyalists in the days leading up to the takeover, Amara made it possible for Bio to execute the move with precision.
The change of power unfolded without bloodshed. No lives were lost, as Strasser loyalists were disarmed or kept away from the center of events. The operation was widely regarded as a masterfully executed coup—one marked by meticulous planning and execution.
In her forthcoming autobiography, the author promises a firsthand account of that day, detailing the atmosphere at State House as events unfolded at Cockerill Military Barracks in western Freetown, alongside other pivotal moments in Sierra Leone’s history.
— Dr. Sylvia Olayinka Blyden, OOR
January 16, 2026
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