 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (April 2011) |
Samuel Doe | |
|---|---|
 Doe in 1982 | |
| 21st President of Liberia | |
| In office 6 January 1986 – 9 September 1990 | |
| Vice President | Harry Moniba |
| Preceded by | Himself (as Chairman of People's Redemption Council) |
| Succeeded by | Amos Sawyer (interim) |
| Chairman of the People's Redemption Council | |
| In office 12 April 1980 – 6 January 1986 | |
| Deputy | |
| Preceded by | William Tolbert (as President) |
| Succeeded by | Himself (as President) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 6 May 1951 Tuzon, Liberia |
| Died | 9 September 1990 (aged 39) Monrovia, Liberia |
| Cause of death | Torture murder |
| Resting place | Body lost or destroyed |
| Political party | National Democratic Party |
| Spouse(s) | Nancy Doe (married c. 1968–1969)[1] |
| Children | 5 |
| Alma mater | University of Liberia |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Liberia |
| Branch/service | Armed Forces of Liberia |
| Years of service | 1969–1985 |
| Rank | Master Sergeant |
| Battles/wars | First Liberian Civil War |
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Leader of Liberia Government
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Samuel Kanyon Doe (6 May 1951[2] – 9 September 1990) was a Liberian politician and military officer who served as the 21st President of Liberia from 1986 to 1990. He ruled Liberia as Chairman of the People's Redemption Council (PRC) from 1980 to 1986 and then as president from 1986 to 1990.[2]
Doe was a master sergeant in the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) when he staged the violent 1980 coup d'état that overthrew President William Tolbert and the True Whig Party, becoming the first non-Americo-Liberian leader of Liberia and ending 133 years of Americo-Liberian rule.[2] Doe suspended the Constitution of Liberia, assumed the rank of general, and established the PRC as a provisional military government with himself as de facto head of state.[2] Doe dissolved the PRC in 1984 and attempted to legitimize his regime, with a new democratic constitution and a general election held in 1985. He won with 51% of the votes, but the election had widespread allegations of election fraud.[2] Doe opened Liberian ports to Canadian, Chinese, and European ships, which brought in considerable foreign investment and earned Liberia's reputation as a tax haven. Doe had support from the United States due to his anti-Soviet stance during the Cold War.
Doe's rule was characterized by authoritarianism, corruption, and his favoritism towards ethnic Krahns, which led to growing opposition to his regime from the Liberian public and the United States. The First Liberian Civil War began in December 1989 when the anti-Doe National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL) led by Charles Taylor invaded Liberia from the Ivory Coast to overthrow him. Doe was captured and executed by Prince Johnson on 9 September 1990.[3]
- ^ Dunn, Elwood D.; Beyan, Amos J.; Burrowes, Carl Patrick (20 December 2000). Historical Dictionary of Liberia. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 9781461659310.
- ^ a b c d e "Samuel K. Doe | president of Liberia". Encyclopedia Britannica. Archived from the original on 4 October 2019. Retrieved 14 May 2019.
- ^ "Liberia : Samuel Doe, death washed down with a Budweiser". The Africa Report.com. 10 November 2021. Archived from the original on 26 October 2022. Retrieved 20 December 2021.