What does the cryptic crossword clue "Sierra Leone, troubled but without the extremes previously (7,2)" mean?

The definition is "previously". The wordplay uses a deletion. anagram of IERRA LEON = EARLIER ON; definition: "previously" The answer is EARLIER ON.

Sierra Leone, troubled but without the extremes previously (7,2)

Times Cryptic #28827 | 10 Across | 2024-01-31 flower