Momoh, Joseph Saidu (1937–2003)

Sierra Leone soldier and politician, president 1985–92. An army officer who became commander in 1983 with the rank of major general. He succeeded Siaka Stevens as president when Stevens retired; Momoh was endorsed by Sierra Leone's one political party, the All-People's Congress. He dissociated himself from the policies of his predecessor, pledging to fight corruption and improve the economy. In April 1992 he fled to neighbouring Guinea after a military takeover.