Episode 7 – The Fall of President Doe (Part 3 of the Doe mini-series)

In this final part of the Samuel Doe mini-series, we move to his final collapse after nine years in power: the disputed 1985 elections, the failed Quiwonkpa coup, and the rise of Charles Taylor set the stage for a country sliding towards war. Dr Aaron Weah describes how ethnic narratives were shaped – and often manipulated – while Gerry Naughton reflects on how those same stories were simplified for outsiders.

The episode brings rare depth through Aaron’s personal testimony: memories of soldiers occupying his family home, the fear and uncertainty of Monrovia in 1990, and a striking moment of humanity in the middle of conflict. These lived experiences sit alongside a wider analysis of how the civil war began, how quickly Liberia changed, and how Doe lost power, allies, and ultimately his life.

We close by asking what remains of Doe today – his legacy as a soldier, a patriot, and a deeply flawed leader. This episode marks a turning point in the series, where history, memory, and personal experience come together – and sets the stage for the Taylor years and the long, complex road that followed.

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