Siaka Stevens sworn in as prime minister

On March 21, 1967, Siaka Stevens was sworn in as the Prime Minister of Sierra Leone, marking a significant moment in the country's political history. However, his tenure was short-lived, as he was ousted just hours after taking office in a bloodless military coup led by Brigadier General David Lansana. Lansana, who had been appointed commander of the army by Sir Albert Margai in 1964, acted swiftly to place Stevens under house arrest in Freetown. The coup was a pivotal event that highlighted the fragility of political power in Sierra Leone during this period. Lansana's insistence that the determination of the prime minister's office should await the election of tribal representatives to the house underscored the complexities of governance in a nation grappling with ethnic divisions and political instability. This incident set the stage for further military involvement in Sierra Leone's politics and foreshadowed the challenges that would continue to affect the country's leadership dynamics in the years to come.