Episode 6 of Liberia: Remembering the Future – and Episode 2 in our Samuel Doe mini-series.

In this episode, we move from the aftermath of the 1980 coup into the pivotal year of 1985.

We discuss the first election after five years of military rule, allegations of rigging, the return and failed coup attempt of Thomas Quiwonkpa, and the reprisals that followed. The conversation also explores how that moment added an ethnic dimension to Liberian politics that would bring long term repercussions.

Along the way, Aaron reflects on the internal tensions of Doe’s rule, the People’s Redemption Council, the pressures of constitutional change, and the wider atmosphere of fear, violence and uncertainty in the first half of the 1980s.

Topics include:

- Samuel Doe and the People’s Redemption Council

- Thomas Quiwonkpa and the split within the 1980 coup leadership

- Liberia’s 1985 election

- allegations of rigging

- the November 1985 coup attempt

- reprisals against Gio and Mano communities

- the ethnicisation of Liberian politics

- Liberia, the Cold War, and US backing under Reagan

Liberia: Remembering the Future is a conversational podcast hosted by Gerry Naughton and Aaron Weah, exploring Liberia’s history, politics, culture and future through informed, accessible discussion.

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