This day on the early morning of November 12, 1985 that National Anthem plays quite early, and in succession. That was unusual, one early morning bird, a elderly man who was my neighbour observed. “Something is wrong” the man exclaimed. Indeed something was not right.

A one-time member of the then People’s Redemption Council and close confident and friend of President Samuel Kanyon Doe was back from his hiding place since he fell out of the ranks of the ruling Doe government. General Thomas Quiwonkpa, a staunch member of the former PRC has surfaced, attempting to remove his long time boss now his bitter enemy, President Samuel Kanyon Doe from Liberia’s most prestigious office, the presidency.

On that memorable November morning, General Quiwonkpa and a group of unknown number of people had entered Liberia via the border with neighbouring Sierra Leone. The mission according to the general was to remove Doe from the presidency and usher in a new government.  The rest of the story is best known by most Liberians.

However, following few hours of scuffle between the invading forces led by General Quiwonkpa and some members of the Liberian army loyal to Doe, the attempted military take-over was aborted and Doe was back in full control. Now the invaders were in disarray, some already being reportedly captured by Doe’s loyal forces. Then did the man-hunt begin from door to door, tracking down people (some believed to be) connected to, or in support of General Quiwonkpa and his forces.

Prominent citizens of Nimba County as well as ordinary citizens were the prime targets of the strike back action taken by the Doe government in response to the attempted military coup. Supporting reason was that General Quiwonkpa was an influential son of Nimba County. Other argument was that Niumba County citizens were in full support of the attempt to overthrow Doe and his government. The result was mass killings of Nimba County citizens, both in Monrovia and Nimba County itself. Other accounts (cannot be verified or denied) say that during the short time General Quiwonkpa announced he had overthrown the Doe regime, Nimba County citizens also killed some citizens of Grand Gedeh County.

Whatever the case may be, the November 12, 1980 failed military coup paved the way and set the stage for what seems to be the longest running hatred among the peoples of both counties. The recruitment of 90 percent of Mr. Taylor’s NPFL forces from Nimba County also fuelled the hatred between the two counties. 

I have been following a recent article written by Jerry B. Saylee and posted on this site under the caption: The-Late-Rtd.-General-Charles-Julu-Gone-forever-but. ... and I have realized from the many exchanges between Nimba County and Grand Gedeh County citizens, that the rift remains deeper than one can imagine in this period of Liberia’s transition to peace and reconciliation.

It would be a wise war to fight against hatred and other vices that have eroded the trust and confidence of Liberians over the years. As November 12 comes to pass this year one would imagine that the people of Grand Gedeh and Nimba Counties could be making efforts to mend their wounds and forget their ugly past and forge ahead with peace and unity. I personally believe that the people of both counties are to an extent, victims of ugly political pasts and should re-think and set  new agenda for peace, unity and development for the surviving peoples of their devastated counties.

Comments (1)

	1. 13-11-2009 12:39
	nostaglia I remember we had a chess tournament scheduled that morning at the University of Liberia.It was being held by a fraternity called the Bobos.Right opposite my house the Vice President Moniba's brother lived there, and they came, arrested him and took him to the Mansion leaving the rest of the family under house arrest.  One of my childhood friends was named Freddie, strong like hell. He and another friend had completed military training about a year before, They had their Uzi's and were arresting all the members of Doe's government in that area.  They arrested the assistant director of the SSS, It was chaos.    I remember Quiwonkpa voice on the radio in a somewhat american accent.If I remember correctly he stated he wanted no bloodshed.I remember seeing the head of the United States Military Mission go to the radio station to chat with the Gen on TV. There was Great Joy.  Then FLASH. I saw Moniba's brother in a military jeep with soldiers. The guys who had his family was put under arrest,in the process one was shot and badly wounded. Those guys started to chase my man Freddie, but my man Freddie was a senior Gobio. When he sensed the change he changed to civilian clothes and managed to check out, my other man wasn't so lucky, I can still see him in the back of the pick truck heading down the road.  My best friend was arrested near LU close to St.Patrick's.  He was taken to the mansion where he was almost killed  accused of being a rebel, lucky for him his Father was minister in the government, and he was recognized by someone who knew he was friends with Kerkula Kpoto's   son.  I wish we never see violence in Liberia ever again.  May God help us.

corvah zazay

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