Siaka Stevens Biography

Siaka Probyn Stevens was the third Prime Minister of Sierra Leone who later became the first President of the country. After completing his secondary education, he started his career with the Sierra Leone Police Force and went on to serve as a mine worker before founding the United Mine Workers Union. Later he joined politics and represented the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) in the Protectorate Assembly, becoming Minister of Lands, Mines, and Labour. But after a series of disagreements on leadership issues, he left SLPP and formed People’s National Party, which also expelled him upon his disagreement regarding some political issues. Then he formed his own All People’s Congress (APC) and became the opposition leader until the APC won the 1967 general elections. He was sworn in as the Prime Minister but was overthrown in a military coup only days after being sworn in, only to be recalled after some time. Later, with the introduction of republic constitution, he became the first President of Sierra Leone. During his tenure he faced criticism for his dictatorship though his later years in office saw the progressive lessening of cultural and regional tensions and the creation of a more homogeneous political community in the country. He survived in office despite attempted rebellions and almost continual charges of gross mismanagement and governmental corruption.