On April 19, 1971, Sierra Leone officially became a republic, marking a significant step in its post-colonial evolution. The West African nation had previously gained independence from British rule on April 27, 1961, but remained a constitutional monarchy under Queen Elizabeth II. A decade later, under Prime Minister Siaka Stevens, the country adopted a republican constitution and Stevens became Sierra Leone’s first executive president. This shift reflected a broader movement across Africa to assert full political sovereignty and national identity following centuries of colonial domination.
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