On Tuesday, February 2, 1999 at 8:00:00 AM UTC, Renford Engelbert Walsh wrote:

A LOOK AT THE SAMUEL K. DOE REGIME ---- WERE THERE
POSITIVE DEVELOPMENTS ?

INTRODUCTION
The following is an attempt to analyze the merits and demerits of
the administration of President Samuel Kanyon Doe of Liberia ( 1980 to
1990 ). It is neither an attempt to condemn him nor praise him.
It is an exercise to examine both sides of the coin . In this
commentary, I shall commence by repeating common criticisms of the
Doe regime, followed by a point-by-point enumeration of positives and negatives of his administration categorized in the various sectors . Thereafter, I shall extract the positives and briefly comment on
them in my conclusion.

COMMON NEGATIVE COMMENTS ABOUT THE DOE REGIME
1. He was a tribalist who was ethno-centrically
concerned about the welfare of only his Krahn group.
2. He was a corrupt president who ruined the economy .
3. He was an evil man who tolerated no opposition and
introduced unprecedented higher level of violence in
Liberia through the use of deathsquads and other State-
sponsored acts of terrorism.
4. He proved that Liberia can only be governed by
Americo-Liberians and not indigenous Liberians.
5. He neglected other aspects of Government in favor of
protecting national ( and ultimately his ) security .
6. He granted citizenship to Mandingo people.

A COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE VARIOUS GOVERNMENT
SECTORS DURING THE DOE LEADERSHIP PERIOD

FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Samuel Doe's foreign policy was sometimes confusing. On
one hand, he was considered as strongly pro-western . On
the other, he was a vacillator between both the East
and the West. Personally, I think his foreign policy was
simply an exercise of political prostitution in the
diplomatic arena. Here's why.
At the onset of the 1980 coup, the Doe-led PRC
flirted with revolutionary eastern-bloc countries like
Libya and Ethiopia. It was expected that these countries
would provide a lot of aid to Liberia now that Liberia
had joined their ranks in getting rid of stooges of
*western imperialists*. Gradually, the reality set in and
Doe realized that Liberia could not deal without the
West. So, he dealt with America which backed him with
huge aid at the tune of 100 million per year for the
first five years. Meanwhile, he establsihed links with
Libya which led to the Liberian-Libyan Holding complex (
the parent company of the Union Glass factory and the
Pan African Plaza .
By 1983, it was time to face a reality check. So
Doe expelled the Libyans and re-established links ( broken
in the 1970's) with the Isrealis. Additionally, he played
tic-tac-toe with the Soviet Union, expelling their envoys
and became gradually absorbed by western influence. The
bosom relationship with the west, however, declined as
the eighties came to an end and the eastern bloc threat
significantly declined. Thus, a discarded liberia with
military aid blocked from America , turned to Romania for
support. So, what happened to the pro-west stance ?
Interestingly, while the link with Romania was
established , Doe broke ties with communist China and
re-established links with Taiwan. These opposing
developments make one wonder whether Doe was not simply
a political prostitute who wasn't confined to only one
ideology : * who can provide me aid ? * The transaction
of business with Isreal ( on the west ) and Romania (
on the east) makes me to conclude that his foreign
policy was one of political prostitution.

PUBLIC FINANCE

There was a serious budget deficit running in the
tune of 90 million dollars a year by 1987 .
Additionally, there were constant salary arrears of
Government employees as well as debt servicing problems
with international creditors. There was also a reduction
in the supply of foriegn exhcnage by the mid-eighties.
However, some analysts point out that the Tolbert
administration had already started facing liquidity problems
so it is difficult to conclude that such decline could
happen only in the Doe administration. Let's just say
that the Doe administration probably led to a faster
rate of decline.
Additionally, the Doe administration led to an almost
tripling of Liberia's total debt from 700 million ( 0.7
billion ) in 1980 to 1.8 million in 1989.

JUSTICE AND CIVIL RIGHTS
The Doe administration introduced a heightened
violation of human rights unseen in Liberian history.
While previous administrations are not blameless, it is
notable that the Doe regime introduced raw violence in
the form of beheading people, cutting off other
bodyparts, mysterious disappearances, systematic rape and
other forms of terror. This legacy of his administration
which eventually dragged the entire nation into a bloody
7-year civil war has led many to close their eyes to some positive
aspects of his regime , thereby judging
him unfairly.

DEFENSE AND NATIONAL SECURITY
There was significant spending on defense first as a
means of *bribing* the military to return power to
civilians but later as a means of maintaining power at
all costs against all form of logic. While we must note
for the record that Doe did take steps to support the
AFL with payraises and new housing facilities, we must
also note that the resounding defeat of the AFL by
civilian militias, especially kids , raises questions about
the extent of quality improvement in the AFL.

POSTAL AFFAIRS
The Doe administration introduced a zip code into the
country at the end of the 80's. However, the use of
street numbering system introduced by Tolbert declined
significantly as well as the street postal box. One
therefore wonders what was the point of introducing a zip
code when postal activity is still limited to post office
boxes and not building-to-building delivery due to various
reasons ranging from lack of resources, intent, and
ability to enforce public zoning ordinances .

AGRICULTURE

Samuel Doe got personally involved in agricultural
promotion by cultivating a large farm like Tolbert did .
Additionally, his administration perpetually encouraged
Liberians to engage in farming as a means of reducing
our dependence on imported food , especially our staple
meal rice.

COMMERCE
There was decline in the manufacturing area with the
folding of tents of industrial companies based in the
freeway area. Additionally, the Government-sponsored
bankrupting of Mesurado Group of Companies after seizure
from the Tolbert family also led to a significant decline
in manufacturing by a Liberian company.
On the other hand, Liberia maintained a trade surplus
with other countries through greater export of its
resources even at depressed world market prices.
Additionally, the control of economy by the minority Americo-Liberian
group declined a bit as Liberians from
other groups engaged in commercial activities.
Unfortunately, such developments have not offset the
domination of the economy by foreign merchants, most of
which are arab traders.

HEALTH

Inadequate information available to make an assessment.

EDUCATION

Many observers believe that the Doe administration
introduced a period of decline in quality education. Some
critics charge that he engaged in wholesome neglect of
the University of Liberia. Others point to the constant
strikes by Government -employed teachers . Still others
also point to the deliberate lowering of entrance
standards at the University of Liberia inorder to enable
many persons, including Doe, to enter without meeting the
strict placement requirements.
There are , however, two sides to the coins. Many
critics have failed to notice that during the Doe
administration , the level of the William V. S. Tubman
College was raised to an extent where it was about to
award its first bachelor's degree. Many also ignore the
plans to establish a Polytechnic Institute in cape Mount
county . And lastly, but most importantly, many persons
have not noticed the rise in literacy figures during
the Doe administration.
While I must point out that there is incomplete
assessment in the latter case, I cannot help but reveal
the following literacy figures : 9 % in 1962 , 15 % at
the end of Tolbert's administration, 40 % at the end of
1989. Note that the sources are different so the figures
may vary depending on the sources. For example, the World
Almanac currently lists the literacy level of Liberia as
38 % as of 1995 while the U.S. State Department lists
the level at a lower 15 %. For the record, the 1962
figure was obtained from Stephen Hlophe's 'Class,
Ethnicity, and Politics in Liberia ' , quoting the
Liberian 1962 census. The 1980 figure was obtained from
Sanford Ungar's 'Africa' while the 1989 figure was
obtained from a U.N. study published in the Monrovia
Daily News newspaper sometime in 1993.
Regardless of the source, the point here is :
there was probably an increase of 6 % over an 18-yearperiod ( from
1962 to 1980 ) but an increase of 24 %
over a 9-year period during the Doe administration !!!!
Thus, if these figures are accurate , then the Doe
regime deserves credit for increasing literacy at a
higher rate than the Tolbert administration.
It means that at the end of the day, we'll have
to give credit to Tolbert for increasing the QUALITY of
Liberian education while acheiving minor gains in
QUANTITY. On the other hand, we'll give Doe credit for
significant gains in QUANTITY but not in QUALITY.
Additionally, comparison of appropriation figures show
that Doe's expenditure for education hovered around 15.5
% [ KEESING'S CONTEMPORARY ARCHIVES] in his sixth year in
office which is higher than Tolbert's appropriation of
approximately 12 % at the same period of his
administration [ PRESIDENTIAL PAPERS 1974/75]. Hence, Doe could
also stand to take credit for spending more on education
than Tolbert.

INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT
Like his pre-decessors, there were a number of
projects in various areas like roads and public
buildings. However, the Doe administration stands out for
prioritizing the construction of numerous Government
ministries simultaneously. We note for the record that at
the time of his demise, there were construction activities
for the Defense, Health, and Justice Ministries. There
were also construction activities for two banks : the
National Bank of Liberia and the National Housing &
Savings Bank. Additionally, the National Police
Headquarters had already been completed as well as the
National Stadium.

In the case of roads, there were various projects
undertaken like the Ganta - Harper highway as well as
plans for the Gbarnga - Monorkormina (sp ?? ) highway which
would have linked Nimba-Grand Gedeh-Maryland and Bong-Lofa
counties , respectively. And those were road networks in
rural counties. In the case of Monrovia, there were
plans to constuct the Binyah Kesselly boulevard , linking
12th street sinkor to freeway . There was the S. K. D.
boulevard which had already linked ( through a dirt road )
the congotown highway to the freeway. There was the
planned construction of a 20 million-dollar road,
including a bridge, linking capitol by-pass to the
freeway . There was also some preliminary work done on
expanding the freeway from a two-lane road to four lanes
. Finally, there was the planned route which would have
linked Du Port road to the Robertsfield highway at the Catherine
Mills Rehabilitation centre area.
In all fairness to his pre-decessor Tolbert, the
stadium and the National Police headquarters were his (
Tolbert's ) brainchildren. Thus, Doe simply built upon
Tolbert's plans. Further investigation may also reveal
that some of the above listed projects were probably
planned prior to the coup. However, the fact that Doe
embarked upon these projects is worth noting that his
administration did seek some infrastructural development
even in the midst of all of its financial problems and
wantom economic mismanagement .
In the case of housing , there was at least one
housing project already commenced on the kakata highway
for low income earners. This was supposed to be a
continuation of the *projects* of the 70's like the
Stephen Tolbert , New Georgia and Barnersville estates .
NATIONAL UNITY AND RECONCILIATION

Many critics have charged that the Doe regime
introduced tribalism in Liberia on an unprecendented
scale. There have been numerous accusations that he was
extraordinarily concerned about his krahn tribe and that
the Government was dominated by them. However, a
compilation of records of his cabinet does not indicate a
krahn majority. Neither is the same observed in the
Legislature and the Judiciary. I can not say the same
for the Armed Forces of Liberia.
Regardless, what many people fail to realize is that
the presence of a small *kitchen cabinet* of krahns in
the mansion can not be used as an indication of
prevalent krahn domination. There will always be a kitchen
cabinet which meets in caucus and makes decisions
secretly. It has happened in America and it happens in
Liberia. The existence of a kitchen cabinet may take the
shape of various forms like boyhood friends, college
buddies, business partners, professional associates, and
members of the same tribe or county. That, however,
doesn't mean that such classification dominates the ranks
of Government and is none other than mere fallacy.
Also , it is interesting to point out that the Doe regime ushered
interesting records of prominent Government service by individuals
associated with the indigenous ethnic groups and the hinterland. For
example, the Justice Ministry got its first hinterland Ministers in
the names of Chea Cheapoo ( Grand Gedeh ) and Jenkins Scott ( Lofa
). The Finance Ministry also got its first krahn Minister and the
same goes for the National Bank of Liberia. The Foreign Ministry
also got its first hinterland Minister , J. Rudolph Johnson ( from
Lofa ).
But that's not all. The Liberian Embassy to the
United States got its first indigenous and hinterland
chief of mission, Joseph Saye Guannu ( from Nimba ).
And the same goes for the Liberian embassy to the Unted
Kingdom in the name of Dr. Harry F. Moniba.
Now, some people may not discern the significance of
these appointments but upon a close comparison of the
ethnic and provincial constitution of the various
administrations, one can easily reveal that the Doe
administration was always strongly multi-ethnic. While
Tolbert is remembered for bringing in more indigenous
Liberians into his Government ( mostly at sub-cabinet
levels like Deputy and Assistant Ministers ) than any of
his pre-decessors , that administration could hardly boast
of indigenous persons heading Ministries. And even when
it did, such presence was observed in Ministries like
Education and Information [Kesselly], not key positions
like Foreign Affairs [ Weeks, Dennis] , Finance [ Tolbert,
Williams, Philips] , and Justice [Simpson, Morgan]. Similar
thing is evident in a comparison of diplomatic
appointments -- prior to the Doe administration, it was
much easier for a Dennis, Cooper, or another prominent
americo-Liberian person to occupy key foreign service
positions like ambassador to the U.S. or U.K. , while a
*Fahnbulleh* would most likely have received an appointment
to countries like Kenya, Nigeria, etc. Hence, the Doe
administration changed the ethnic make-up of government
eventhough some critics may charge that it was sometimes
costly in terms of qualifications.
We should also note too that eventhough there was
an initial execution of 13 persons of americo-Liberian
descent, there was no pogrom of americo-liberians ,
neither was there any systematic exclusion of americo-
liberians from prominent public assignments. Examples of
Americos serving in high offices are replete with names
like Eastman [ Foreign Affairs ], Tubman [ Justice] , Shaw [
Commerce, Finance ] . It is also interesting to note that
the name of Liberia's first post-coup Defense Minister is
associated with americo-Liberians . Many have forgotten
about Samuel B. Pearson who served in that capacity from
1980 to 1981 before his demotion to the position of
Assistant minister for Coast Guard Affairs. At a time when
there was deep suspicion and mistrust for Americo-
Liberians, one wonders why the PRC regime chose to
appoint an americo at such a strategic position like
Defense.
Also , observation of the targets of political persecution reveal
that both americos and indigenous Liberians
fell victim to the violation of human rights by the Doe
regime. Hence, the americo-indigenous line of demarcation
did not exist in the political arena.

LABOR

Hardly any statistical information is available to assess
any significant rise or decline in unemployment in the Doe
regime as compared to his pre-decessors. On the positive
side , however, it must be pointed out that the Doe
regime was the first to tolerate the formation of
agricultural labor unions. It should also be pointed out
that salary of Government employees were increased at the
beginning of the regime eventhough the subsequent economic
decline led to a depreciation of value of the salary.
Notwithstanding, the annual address to the Legislature at
the close of 1998 did recommend a 25 % across-the-board
increase in salary of Government employees, along with an
update of salary payents after seven years of arrears.
That , of course, has to balanced with the negative
effects of refusal to honor the savings bond in 1987 ,
five years after compulsory borrowing from Government
employees.

CONCLUSION

What I have done here is similar to what I
continue to do with the administrations of Taylor and
other Liberian presidents. I have simply placed all of the
cards on the table by listing the positives and
negatives of the Doe administration. I have given special
attention to areas like literacy increase [EDUCATION],
public works , de-ethnicentralization of Government
appointments, improvement in the welfare of soldiers.
The objective was neither to praise Doe nor join the
rank of condemners. It was simply an attempt to play the
role of an impartial juror who sorts the facts inorder
to reach a conclusion. While I personally frown on his
negatives ( blatant violation of human rights, economic
mismanagement , incoherent foreign policy, and other ills
which have led me not to look at him in an unfavorable
light, I must also point out that those positive aspects
of his administration should not be discarded.
I personally think that Liberian Presidents should build upon the achievements of Tubman, Tolbert, and Doe . For example, while Tubman
made significant gains in education in terms of QUANTITY, Tolbert made
gains in QUALITY. Doe , for his part, made gains in QUANTITY . Now,
Taylor and all future presidents need to make gains in both
QUANTITY and QUALITY. Similarly, the accomplishments in the area of Government appointments by including some firsts from the majority aboriginal population and sometimes the hinterland as opposed to the
counties need to be built upon by ensuring that persons from all
ethnic groups and all parts of Liberia are included in participation
within Government. That inclusion , however, should not ignore the importance of QUALIFICATION.
In the area of infrastuctural development, the roads
and public building construction need to continue from
where Doe left. Monrovia is approximately 30 square miles
yet majority of it is swampy and there's a dense
population in the section closed to the atlantic.
Similarly, the road network in the interior has to be
expanded significantly to the extent that there is an
increase in interaction between all Liberians as well as a
reduction in traveling time. These are just a sampling of
my challenges to the Taylor and successive administrations.
For those americo-Liberians who think that no so-
called countryman can bring development to liberia, I
urge you to rethink your perception . For those on the
other side who think that only countryman ascendancy to
power can satisfy them, they need to re-check their
priorities. The emphasis should not be on what ethnic
classification is associated with the President but rather
his/her qualifications. For me, a * Yarkpawolo Quoikakpor*
or * Bernard Cooper* is fine as long as he can get the
job done. I hope others share that vision. ----- [END]
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Grossly bias account. Probably written to please those opposed to Doe. There are many meaningful things Doe did, especially infrastructure development. On the issue of projects eft by Tolbert, government is continuity. Tolbert built on Tubman. Or didn't
Tubman leave unfinished projects? Howbeit, you see things the way your heart perceive them.

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