People's Redemption Council

The People's Redemption Council was a military regime that governed Liberia during the early 1980s. It was established after the military coup of April 12, 1980, in which Samuel Doe, who served as chairman of the Council, seized power. Apart from Doe, the Council consisted of 17 soldiers.

It marked the first time that Liberia was governed by members of the native African majority and not the Americo-Liberian elite. Mass executions of members of the former government of William R. Tolbert, Jr. followed.

History

From its establishment until the following January, the Council's secretary general was Lieutenant Colonel (formerly Corporal) Fallah Varney. Varney's service was ended by his death in an automobile accident.[1] Doe appointed Abraham Kollie, the PRC deputy speaker, as Varney's replacement, and PRC member Robert Sumo took Kollie's place as deputy speaker.[2]

In August 1981, Thomas Weh Syen and four other members of the Council were arrested and executed for allegedly plotting to assassinate Doe. The Council was dissolved after the approval of the 1984 constitution and replaced by the Interim National Assembly (INA) to pave the way for Liberian elections.

In 1985, Doe was declared the winner of controversial elections over Jackson Doe, and he accordingly claimed the post of civilian president. In 1990, Doe was killed by the INPFL led by Prince Johnson.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "His Part Was Well Played". [Monrovia] Weekend News 1981-01-31: 1/2/5.
  2. ↑ "New PRC Officials". The Sunday People 1981-02-08: 1/8.
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