VALENTINE STRASSER

THE WORLD'S YOUNGEST HEAD OF STATE

Valentine Esegragbo Melvine Strasser, born on April 26, 1967, in Freetown, Sierra Leone, emerged as a key figure in Sierra Leonean history as the world's youngest Head of State. Raised in Allen Town, Freetown, to Creole parents, Strasser's early life was marked by academic prowess in math and chemistry.

His military journey began in 1985 when, at the age of eighteen, he enlisted in the Republic of Sierra Leone Military Forces (RSLMF). After completing training, he was commissioned as an officer and played a crucial role in countering the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) during the Sierra Leone Civil War.

Strasser's pivotal moment came in 1992 when, amid dissatisfaction with the government's handling of the war, he led a group of soldiers to protest in Freetown. This event forced President Joseph Saidu Momoh to flee, creating a power vacuum that led to Strasser assuming leadership. At just twenty-five, he became the youngest Head of State globally.

However, after nearly four years in power, Strasser faced a coup in 1996 led by his deputy, Brigadier General Julius Maada Bio. This marked the end of Strasser's leadership, and he subsequently faced a challenging period, seeking asylum abroad without success.

Strasser's post-leadership life involved a fellowship to study law in England, but his asylum application was rejected. He faced further struggles, including being denied entry to the Gambia. Returning to Sierra Leone, he lived in poverty, working at the ICT Institute.

In 2019, Strasser fell gravely ill, leading to partial amputation of his left leg due to peripheral artery disease. After rehabilitation in Ghana, he returned to Sierra Leone in 2021, receiving an apartment from President Bio. Allegations of house arrest by the opposition added a political dimension to his later years.

Reference:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valentine_Strasser