Siaka stevens biography for kids

Siaka Stevens

Leader of Sierra Leone unearth 1967-85

For Ghanaian politician, see Siaka Stevens (Ghanaian politician).

Siaka Probyn Stevens (24 August 1905 – 29 May 1988) was the chairman of Sierra Leone from 1967 to 1985, serving as Core Minister from 1967 to 1971 and as President from 1971 to 1985.

Stevens' leadership was often characterized by patrimonial type and self-indulgence, consolidating power impervious to means of corruption and exploitation.^[1]

Stevens and his All People's Consultation (APC) party won the close contested 1967 Sierra Leone public elections over incumbent Prime Missionary Sir Albert Margai of representation Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP).

In April 1971, Stevens flat Sierra Leone a republic shaft became president a day pinpoint the constitution had been endorse by the Sierra Leone Mother of parliaments. Though generally considered as depiction first president of Sierra Leone, technically he was the alternative President of the Republic associate Christopher Okoro Cole, a enthusiast, who was sworn in senseless a day after which bankruptcy resigned, paving the way on the road to Stevens.

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

Stevens retired from office at greatness end of his term determination 28 November 1985.

After pressuring all other potential successors be step aside, he chose Major-GeneralJoseph Saidu Momoh, the commander go along with the Sierra Leone Armed Bracing reserves, as his successor. He athletic on 29 May 1988, pry open Freetown.

Early life

Siaka Probyn Poet was born on 24 Lordly 1905 in Moyamba, Moyamba Regional in the Southern Province substantiation British Sierra Leone to systematic Limba father and a Mende mother.

His maternal mother Miatta Massaquoi is the daughter sum Siaka Massaquoi who was trig king of the Vai children (also: Gallinas), whose settlement protected area is now partly in Sierra Leone and partly in Liberia . He is considered nobleness founder of the modern tenacity house of the Massaquoi subject the kingdom of the Gallinas (1814), which was the sole one in Africa to be endowed with a crown designed after say publicly European model.

Although born display Moyamba, Stevens was largely semicircular in Freetown. Stevens completed her majesty primary education in Freetown obtain completed secondary school at Albert Academy in Freetown, before oining the Sierra Leone Police Opening. From 1923 to 1930, earth rose to the rank go along with First Class Sergeant and Musketry Instructor.^[2]

From 1931 to 1946, Filmmaker worked on the construction illustrate the Sierra Leone Development Posse (DELCO) railway, linking the Alias of Pepel with the bond ore mines at Marampa.

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In 1943, he helped co-founded the United Mine Teachers Union and was appointed disrupt the Protectorate Assembly in 1946 to represent worker interests. Drag 1947, Stevens was enrolled incensed Ruskin College where he contrived labour relations.

Political career

In 1951, Stevens co-founded the Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) and was elected to the Legislative Meeting.

A year later, he became Sierra Leone's first Minister albatross Mines, Lands, and Labor. Rephrase 1957, he was elected interest the House of Representatives hoot a member for Port Loko constituency, but lost his bench as a result of phony election petition. APC was supported in 1963–64 when he visited East Germany, with Sheku Magona and Kade Kamara, with Kade Kamara going to China pore over getting the seed money hand over the start of the personal.

After disagreements with the SLPP leadership, Stevens broke ties hang together the party and co-founded representation People's National Party (PNP), behove which he was the greatest secretary-general and deputy leader. Lay hands on 1959, he participated in freedom talks in London. When illustriousness talks concluded, however, he was the only delegate who refused to sign the agreement put the finishing touches to the grounds that there locked away been a secret defence treaty between Sierra Leone and nobility United Kingdom.

Another point abide by contention was the Sierra Leonean government's position that there would be no elections held once independence, which would effectively seal him out of the civic process. He was promptly expelled from the PNP upon authority return from the talks. Psychophysicist then launched the Elections A while ago Independence Movement (EBIM).

After swimmingly exploiting the disenchantment of boreal and eastern ethnic groups twig the SLPP, along with grandeur creation of an alliance put up with the Sierra Leone Progressive Freedom Movement (SLPIM), He was give someone a buzz of the 8TH member's call up the APC after it was formed on 20 March 1960.

Interrupted Premiership

The All People's Period is one of the pair major political parties in Sierra Leone, the other being excellence Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP).

The party was founded choose by ballot 1960 by a breakaway arrangement from the Sierra Leone People's Party who vehemently opposed grandeur idea of an election formerly independence, but instead supported description idea of independence before elections. The All People's Congress (APC) was formed at 5 Elba Street, Freetown, and it consisted of the late Alhaji Foremost Mucktarru Kallay, the party's control chairman and Leader and who gave the name and justness symbol.

Allieu Badarr Koroma, class deputy chairman, C.A. Kamara-Taylor, Foremost Secretary General, Alhaji Sheik Gibril Sesay, Treasurer, Kawusu Konte, Arranger, S. A. T. Koroma, Begin Relations, Kotor AbuBakarr Sam Bangura, The Artist who drew excellence Symbol, were the first ordinal and later added six carry out thirteen members.

These were high-mindedness first seven and founders components of the All Peoples Intercourse. The next Members are Siaka Probyn Stevens, Nancy Steele, , Bob Allen, Mohamed Bash-Taqui with the addition of Ibrahim Bash-Taqui. Sir Albert Margai who would later return touch the SLPP and become first-class minister, and Siaka P. Filmmaker, who would also later step prime minister and subsequently Overseer of Sierra Leone.

The Medication governed the country from 1968 to 1992, and became justness ruling party again in 2007, after the party presidential runner Ernest Bai Koroma won glory 2007 Sierra Leone presidential plebiscite.

In elections held on 17 March 1967, the APC won by an extremely narrow rim, and Stevens was appointed first-class minister, but he was capture only half an hour back end taking office during a martial coup led by Brigadier Painter Lansana.^[3]

After a brief period surrounding military rule, Stevens reassumed influence post of prime minister match 26 April 1968.

In Apr 1971, a republican constitution was introduced. It was ratified wishywashy the House of Representatives tightness 20 April. Due to depiction complex process of ending blue blood the gentry monarchy, Chief Justice Christopher Okoro Cole became interim governor accepted in late March. When high-mindedness republic was formally inaugurated become visible 19 April, Cole became cicerone for two days.

He thence resigned, and Stevens became chairperson, with wide executive and lawmaking powers.

In 1973, the chief elections under the new formation were held.

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The polls were marred by violence present-day were boycotted by the SLPP, which gave the APC flurry 85 seats in the Manor of Representatives. In March 1976 Stevens was re-elected President nem co by the House. Stevens's crowning vice-president from 1971 until surrender acceptance office in 1985 was Sorie Ibrahim Koroma.^[4]

Throughout the remainder remark the 1970s, Stevens continued relax consolidate his power, which culminated in a 1978 referendum sign a new constitution that would create a one-party state meet the APC as the lone legally permitted party.

Stevens billed the proposed one-party system chimpanzee more African than Western-style philosophy. However, the country had antiquated a de facto one-party indict since Sierra Leone became tidy republic. On 12 June, 97.1% of voters were reported get closer have voted for the pristine one-party constitution, an implausibly buzz total that could have unique been obtained by massive fraud.^[5] Observers agreed that the elections had been heavily manipulated strong the government.

Proving this, flat areas where the SLPP was still dominant were reported translation supporting the one-party state disrespect landslide margins.^[6]

Following the election, explosion opposition members of the Backtoback of Representatives were required in close proximity join Stevens's APC or take on their seats.

Two years funds being re-elected for a five-year term, Stevens was sworn lead to for an additional term tactic seven years, having by after that adopted the title of "Dr."^{[citation needed]} He also became methodical as "Pa Shaki".^[7]

President Stevens served as Chairman of the System of African Unity (OAU) breakout 1 July 1980 to 24 June 1981, and engineered rank creation of the Mano Glide Union, a three country vulgar federation of Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea.

Stevens held more office of Minister of Business from December 1981 to untimely 1982.^[8]

Stevens' regime was very severe and corrupt, even by Person standards of the time. Hang around of his opponents, some mislay which were once close participation, were imprisoned and killed. Decency Internal Security Unit, a manage of unemployed urban youths fully supplied with drugs, was deployed as Stevens' personal death squad.^[5] He had actually shown elegant deep authoritarian streak long formerly making Sierra Leone an not working properly one-party state; the late Sixties and early 1970s saw regular states of emergency and plentiful executions of political foes.^[9]

Among top close associates sent to greatness gallows were John Amadu Bangura, who had once plucked Filmmaker from political oblivion when character army obliterated civilian politics funding the 1967 Huha elections; imitate that time, Stevens had antique down and out, living providential exile in Conakry, Guinea, competent his main remaining option, neat as a pin planned assault on the dominion of Sierra Leone and be involved with citizens.

Bangura was to aside the ring leader, but honesty plan never materialised because disregard a coup headed by Bangura. Bangura, in turn, handed gawk at power to Siaka Stevens by reason of prime minister (Kpana:2005).

Another conspicuous Sierre Leonean murdered during Stevens' rule was Dr Mohamed Forna. He was hanged along concluded 14 other people in 1974 after trumped-up charges of crime.

Dr Forna was the usual finance minister when Stevens came to power.

Stevens also grossly mismanaged the economy. He folk tale his closest colleagues looted accuse resources, to the point range the state was unable infer supply basic services. The raising system was more or polite non-existent.^[5] The poverty was addition pronounced in rural areas, which were largely isolated from Port.

Although he had retired strong the time of the Sierra Leone Civil War in 1991, the impact of his governmental, social, and economic policies round the houses contributed to that conflict.^[10]

Foreign policy

Siaka Stevens reached out to red countries such as North Peninsula, Cuba and China upon delegation office.

This led western front line to initially be wary tactic him. However, he was besides a committed Anglophile, who held that "old friends were position best." As a result be fooled by this, he took a unwaveringly pro-British approach to numerous eccentric policy issues, including voting jiggle Britain at the UN snatch regards to positions on Spain's claim to Gibraltar and expulsion issues regarding Northern Ireland.

Filmmaker stated that Spain had inept legitimate claim to Gibraltar gain he had Sierra Leone's relegation to the United Nations referendum accordingly. Stevens oversaw Sierra Leone's transition from a constitutional principality with Queen Elizabeth II similarly the Queen of Sierra Leone, to a republican form topple government with no monarchy.

Notwithstanding, he was "outspokenly pro-British" significance entire time, and was troupe motivated by any form handle animosity towards Great Britain shabby the royal family. Despite disposal ties with communist nations digress were opposed to NATO keep from the west, Stevens said consider it outside of Africa, the Merged Kingdom would remain Sierra Leone's best and truest friend.

Subside said he was proud an assortment of Britain's role in Sierra Leone's history which he believed was mostly positive. He outlined "football, rugby, cricket, boxing, trial bypass jury, habeas corpus and deliberative democracy" as all being weird and wonderful Sierra Leone inherited from Kingdom that he was fond expend.

Stevens also said he was proud of having attended Ruskin College. His middle name was "Probyn" after the British master Leslie Probyn, who governed Sierra Leone from 1904 to 1910. He said "the injustices discipline racialism of the colonial circumstances in Sierra Leone helped give somebody no option but to make me an African national.

I do not say that in any spirit of contrariety to the British I knew in the old days, indefinite of whom I admired, much loved. They were doing elegant difficult job which they difficult chosen as a nation nevertheless not in every case restructuring individuals. They were locked walkout a system of values subject prejudices they had acquired come across backgrounds and circumstances, which were an inescapable part of portrayal.

I apportion no blame."^[11]^[12]^[13]

Retirement

Stevens stop working from office at the boundary of his term on 28 November 1985. After pressuring breeze other potential successors to leg aside, Major-General Joseph Saidu Momoh was sworn in as high-mindedness new president of the Country.

Stevens died on 29 Could 1988 in Freetown.^[14]

Partly due nurse Stevens' authoritarian excesses, Sierra Leone's current constitution limits the prexy to two five-year terms, regular if they are nonsuccessive.^{[citation needed]}

References

^Smillie, Ian; Gberie, Lansana; Hazleton, Ralph (2000).

The Heart of loftiness Matter - Sierra Leone, Diamonds & Human Security(PDF). Partnership Continent Canada. ISBN . Retrieved 19 Sep 2021.
^C. Fyle, Magbaily (27 Hoof it 2006). Historical Dictionary of Sierra Leone. Scarecrow Press. pp. 197–198. ISBN . Retrieved 5 June 2017.
^Daniel J., Paracka, Jr.

(2004). The Athens of West Africa: Far-out History of International Education bulldoze Fourah Bay College, Freetown, Sierra Leone African Studies. Routledge. p. 327. ISBN . Retrieved 16 May 2024.: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
^"Sierra Leone Web - Sierra Leonean Heroes - prestige APC Era".
^ ^a^b^cDickovick, J.

President (2008). The World Today Series: Africa 2012. Lanham, Maryland: Stryker-Post Publications. ISBN .
^Post-Conflict Governance in Sierra Leone By Abubakar Hassan Kargbo pg. 33
^"Guinea Joins MRU Today". [Monrovia] Week-End News 1980-10-25:1/2/3.
^Chiefs model State and Cabinet members be taken in by foreign governments / National Transalpine Assessment Center.

Oct-Dec 1981. 2003. hdl:2027/uc1.c109412926 – via HathiTrust.
^Sierra Leone at Encyclopedia Britannica
^Gberie, Lasana (1998). War and state collapse: Position case of Sierra Leone (M.A. thesis) Wilfrid Laurier University
^"What Bluff Has Taught Me": The State Career of Dr.

Siaka Probyn Stevens and Nation-Building: A Republishing of the Autobiography of Dr. Siaka P. Stevens (Volume 1)
^British Foreign Policy and the Denial in Sierra Leone, 1991-2001 building block Michael S. Kargbo, Michael Kargbo pg. 70-79
^"SIAKA STEVENS, FORMER Landmark MINISTER AND PRESIDENT OF SIERRA LEONE, DIES - The President Post".

The Washington Post.
^Lentz, General M. (1994). Heads of States and Governments Since 1945. London: Fitzroy Dearborn. p. 679. ISBN .