Siaka Stevens

Siaka Probyn Stevens
President Stevens delivering a speech at the United States Embassy in Freetown, 1976
1st President of Sierra Leone
In office
21 April 1971 – 28 November 1985
Vice PresidentSorie Ibrahim Koroma
Christian Alusine Kamara-Taylor
Francis Minah
Preceded byChristopher Okoro Cole (acting)
Succeeded byJoseph Saidu Momoh
3rd Prime Minister of Sierra Leone
In office
26 April 1968 – 21 April 1971
MonarchElizabeth II
Governors‑GeneralSir Banja Tejan-Sie
Christopher Okoro Cole
Preceded bySir Albert Margai
Succeeded bySorie Koroma
Leader of the All People's Congress (APC)
In office
1962 – 28 November 1985
Preceded byPosition established
Succeeded byJoseph Saidu Momoh
Mayor of Freetown
In office
May 1962 – 17 May 1966
Succeeded byConstance Cummings-John
Member of Parliament of Sierra Leone from Port Loko District
In office
May 1957 – 1958
Member of Parliament of Sierra Leone from Western Area Urban District
In office
1958–1962
Sierra Leone Protectorate Minister of Mines, Lands and Labour
In office
1951–1957
Personal details
Born
Siaka Probyn Stevens

(1905-08-24)24 August 1905
Moyamba, British Sierra Leone
Died29 May 1988(1988-05-29) (aged 82)
Freetown, Sierra Leone
Political partyAll People's Congress (APC)
SpouseRebecca Stevens
Alma materFourah Bay College, Ruskin College
ProfessionTrade unionist, police officer

Siaka Probyn Stevens (24 August 1905 – 29 May 1988) was the leader of Sierra Leone from 1967 to 1985, serving as Prime Minister from 1967 to 1971 and as President from 1971 to 1985. Stevens' leadership was often characterized by patrimonial rule and self-indulgence, consolidating power by means of corruption and exploitation.[1]

Stevens and his All People's Congress (APC) party won the closely contested 1967 Sierra Leone general elections over incumbent Prime Minister Sir Albert Margai of the Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP). In April 1971, Stevens made Sierra Leone a republic and became president a day after the constitution had been ratified by the Sierra Leone Parliament. Though generally considered as the first president of Sierra Leone, technically he was the second President of the Republic after Christopher Okoro Cole, a judge, who was sworn in for a day after which he resigned, paving the way for Stevens.

Stevens served as Chairman of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) from 1 July 1980 to 24 June 1981, and pioneered the creation of the Mano River Union, a three-country economic union comprising Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Guinea.

Stevens retired from office at the end of his term on 28 November 1985. After pressuring all other potential successors to step aside, he chose Major-General Joseph Saidu Momoh, the commander of the Sierra Leone Armed Forces, as his successor. He died on 29 May 1988, in Freetown.

  1. ^ Smillie, Ian; Gberie, Lansana; Hazleton, Ralph (2000). The Heart of the Matter - Sierra Leone, Diamonds & Human Security (PDF). Partnership Africa Canada. ISBN 0-9686270-4-8. Retrieved 19 September 2021.