DURING THE CIVIL WAR: LIBERIA PRODUCED ONE INTERIM GOVERNMENT, THREE COUNCIL OF STATE GOVERNMENTS WITH FOUR INTERIM PRESIDENTS, IN 7 YEARS: LIBERIA’S DARK DAYS.
During Liberia’s “DARK DAYS”, leading to special general and presidential elections broker by ECOWAS, from November 1990 up to August, 1997, Liberia produced one Interim Government, and three Council of State goverments. Liberia also produced four interim presidents in seven years. During the “DARK DAYS” Hon. Amos Sawyer became President of the Interim Government Of National Unity (IGNU) and reigned from November, 1990 up to March, 1994. Hon. Sawyer’s Interim Government was succeeded by the first Council of State goverment headed by Hon. David G. Kpormakpor. His tenure lasted from March 1994 up to September, 1995. Hon Wilton Sankawulo also served as Chairman of the Council of State from September 1995 up to September, 1996.
Hon Ruth Perry was a trailblazing Liberian politician who served as the interim Chairperson of the Council of State of Liberia from September 3, 1996, to August 2, 1997. She was Africa’s first female head of state in modern times, appointed by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to lead the country out of civil war. Perry’s leadership played a crucial role in negotiating disarmament agreements and organizing the 1997 general elections, marking a significant step toward restoring stability in Liberia.
Charles Taylor’s path to the presidency in 1997 was paved with several interim governments, aimed at ending Liberia’s brutal civil war. The journey began with the Cotonou Peace Accord in July 1993, which established the Liberian National Transitional Government (LNTG). This government was led by a five-member Council of State, comprising representatives from various warring factions, including Taylor’s National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL).
The first LNTG, led by David Kpomakpor, struggled to gain traction, and factional fighting continued. In September 1995, the Abuja I Accord established a new Council of State, with Wilton Sankawulo as chairman, and Taylor, Alhaji Kromah, and George Boley as vice chairmen. This government, known as LNTG-II, saw Taylor’s NPFL gain significant influence, controlling key ministries like Foreign Affairs, Agriculture, and Justice.
Despite progress, violence persisted, and in April 1996, fighting broke out in Monrovia, exposing the LNTG’s weakness. The Abuja II Accord, signed in August 1996, established a new Council of State, led by Ruth Perry, and paved the way for elections in July 1997.
The LNTG-III government, under Perry’s leadership, oversaw the disarmament of factions and prepared for national elections. Taylor’s NPFL had already transformed into a political party, the National Patriotic Party (NPP), and Taylor emerged as a dominant force in Liberian politics.
The July 1997 elections saw Taylor win 75% of the vote, with his NPP securing a majority in the legislature. The elections were deemed relatively free and fair, with voters seemingly choosing Taylor as the best option to end the war and bring stability.
Taylor’s victory was largely attributed to his dominant position in the country, having controlled much of Liberia since 1990. His campaign slogan, “He killed my ma, he killed my pa, but I will vote for him,” reflected the pragmatic approach of many Liberians, who saw him as the best bet for peace ⁴ ⁵. On August 2, 1997, Taylor was inaugurated as Liberia’s 22nd president, marking the beginning of a new era in Liberian politics. However, his presidency would ultimately be marked by allegations of human rights abuses, corruption, and regional instability.
The interim governments leading to Taylor’s election highlight the complexities of post-conflict transitions and the challenges of establishing stable governance in fragile states.z
