2 - The Administration of Albert M. Margai, 1964–67

Summary

Albert Michael Margai, as discussed in the previous chapter, became Sierra Leone's second prime minister following the death of his older brother, Sir Milton, on April 28, 1964. Like his brother, Albert was both the leader of the SLPP and the head of government. He was appointed prime minister on April 29 by the Governor-General Sir Henry J. Lightfoot-Boston. Born on October 10, 1910 in Moyamba, he was educated at St. Patrick's School in Bonthe and at St. Edward's Secondary School in Freetown. He first worked as a nurse in the colonial medical department starting in 1931 but resigned in 1944 after becoming a qualified druggist. In 1945 Margai proceeded to Britain to study law at the Inner Temple and was called to the bar in 1949, thus making history as the first lawyer from the Protectorate. In the same year, he returned to Sierra Leone and enrolled as a solicitor and advocate in the Supreme Court, as well as setting up a private law practice.

Albert Margai's political career started in 1949, when he was elected to represent Moyamba in the Protectorate Assembly. In 1951 he became one of the founding members of the SLPP and was elected to the Legislative Council in the country's first general election, which the SLPP won overwhelmingly. Margai played an active role in the debates over the Stevenson Constitution, which for the first time gave the Protectorate an equitable share of representation in the Legislative Council. Also, he was one of the chief spokesmen for Protectorate interests. In 1952 Margai became the first minister of education when he was appointed to the cabinet under the leadership of Sir Milton.

In the 1957 general election, Margai was reelected as an MP representing Moyamba South constituency. Shortly after the election, he challenged Dr. Margai, for the leadership of the SLPP. Although Sir Milton had proven administrative and political skills, the younger members of the SLPP had become impatient with his leadership and looked to Albert as a more dynamic leader. In the leadership election, Albert defeated his brother by one vote. He did, however, step down but refused to serve in a cabinet position under the leadership of Prime Minister Margai. Then, as noted in the previous chapter, Albert—with a number of discontented SLPP members, including Stevens—established a new party, the PNP.