David Lansana

Brigadier David Lansana (22 March 1922 – 19 July 1975 ) was a Sierra Leonean military officer and prominent military figure in Sierra Leone during its colonial and post-independence period. Lansana was one of the most distinguished officers in the history of the Sierra Leone Armed Forces, and was one of the first Sierra Leoneans to train at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, Berkshire, United Kingdom.

Through his marriage to Komeh Gulama Lansana, the daughter of Paramount Chief Julius Gulama of Kaiyamba Chiefdom, Lansana was therefore a relative of Paramount Chief Ella Koblo Gulama and her husband Paramount Chief Bai Koblo Pathbana II, two of the nation's most influential politicians.

On 21 March 1967, Lansana staged Sierra Leone's first coup d'état. Lansana was charged with treason, tried and found guilty, and was eventually executed on 19 July 1975.

Early life and education Lansana was born on 22 March 1922 in Baiima, Mandu Chiefdom, Kailahun District, British Sierra Leone. Lansana was the bearer of Sierra Leone's colours during the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. The Gulamas are Mende royalty and among the most important ruling families in Sierra Leone.

Force Commander of the Sierra Leone Military

He was appointed army commander of Sierra Leone in 1964.

When his close friend and ally Prime Minister Albert Margai came to power, Brigadier Lansana took control of the army from British colonial adviser, Brigadier R.D. Blackie. Margai promoted a one-party (non-democratic) state. Both Lansana and Margai came from the Mende tribe which exacerbated existing conflicts with the northern tribes and the Krios.

Sierra Leone's first coup d'état

1967 general election

On 17 March 1967, Margai was defeated in the general election. The All People's Congress (APC) won 32 seats in parliament while Margai's SLPP held on to just 28 seats. This distinction lasted only four days. On 21 March 1967, Lansana instructed Samuel Hinga Norman to conduct the extrajudicial arrest of the new, democratically elected prime minister Siaka Stevens.

Counter coup

Lansana's unilateral decision was unpopular with many of his fellow Mende officers who did not believe the army should be a tool of internal government. In addition to this, before the coup d'état his influence with his subordinates had been compromised by accusations of "drunkenness" and "womanizing".

On 19 July 1975, Lansana was executed by hanging with former Minister of Finance Mohamed Forna, Lieutenant Habib Lansana Kamara, Ibrahim Bash Taqi, and Paramount Chief Bai Makarie N’silk were executed at Pademba Road Prison.

After their executions, their bodies were displayed for an hour.