The Spectacular Rise and Catastrophic Fall of Three Liberian Presidents

By Ambassador David D. Chieh Sr.

In the tiny country of Limbakar, there arose a dramatic transformation of the government, the first in its history. Twenty-four hours after this gruesome change, two private soldiers were attracted by the array of posh cars lined up in the parking lot; they took a close look into the cars which had their keys still in the ignitions and their doors unlocked. Compelled by their curiosity, they entered two of the cars; the first turned the key, and the engine started; the second did likewise.

The first pushed the gear forward, while the second pushed the gear in reverse. Both cars were in motion. The first rolled forward, while the second rolled backward. Both cars moved uncontrollably in a merry-go-round scenario, and the bewildered soldiers were unable to manipulate the cars but barked orders at the cars to halt. But the cars were not attuned to taking orders. The cars only stopped after an explosive crash into the parked cars, causing a giant inferno from which both soldiers escaped unhurt.

The adjutant rebuked the soldiers for their downright indiscipline, but they replied, The cars disobeyed orders to halt and ought to be court-martialed. The adjutant ordered the soldiers locked up for life, because even their lifetime pay would not cover the restoration of the value of the spectacular posh cars, which their irresponsible action has brought to a catastrophe.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Jul 15, 2015
• ISBN: 9781490883373

Ambassador David D. Chieh Sr.

The author was born in Grandcess, Liberia, in 1934. College education: College of Technology, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria. He has held three ministerial positions at the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs. He was appointed Liberia’s ambassador to Nigeria, Benin, and Togo, 1984–1991.

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THE SPECTACULAR RISE

AND CATASTROPHIC

FALL OF THREE LIBERIAN PRESIDENTS

MEMOIRS

of a

PUBLIC SERVANT

(A Revised Edition)

Ambassador David D. Chieh, Sr.

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Copyright © 2015 David D. Chieh. Sr.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author and the publisher make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of the information contained in this book and in some cases, names of people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.

Scripture taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

This Is A Biographical Account. All The Characters, Organizations, Events And Places Portrayed In This Book Are Real.

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ISBN: 978-1-4908-8337-3 (e)

WestBow Press rev. date: 06/18/2015

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DEDICATIONS

God’s intervention in the affairs of nations and peoples is far beyond comprehension. The stories of Joseph and of Moses in the Old Testament are classic examples: God saved Israel from a devastating famine through his servant Joseph. He then saved Israel from slavery and transformed her into a great nation by the hands of Moses. In both instances, we see God using an individual to save an entire nation.

By analogy, I am exceedingly grateful that my family and many others were rescued from the impending horrors of the Civil War in Liberia through my appointment as Ambassador to Nigeria, Benin and Togo.

In recognition of God’s Divine intervention and in appreciation of His infinite mercy and grace on my family and countrymen, I hereby dedicate these Memoirs.

This book is also dedicated to the following, who in various capacities, tremendously contributed to my personal development:

1. Mr. David Jeke Dueh Chieh, my late father, a strict disciplinarian and my sole educator.

2. Mrs. Nancy Putu Doe Chieh, my late mother, whose love I missed so dearly as she passed away when I was only twelve years old.

3. Mr. Clement and Mrs. Patricia Agbodjan, my late parents-in-law, who gave their daughter, Comfort, to me in marriage.

Liberia

1. Ambassador Christie W. Doe

2. Ambassador Joseph S. O. Coleman

3. Ambassador Charles T. O. King

4. Ambassador Cyrenius Nyeh Forh

5. Dr. Joseph N. Togba, M.D.

6. Honorable Lafayette Morgan

7. Mr. Aaron Kumeh

8. Mr. H. Deyeior Wilson

9. Mr. Joseph W. Nimely

10. Reverend David Tweh Toe

11. Sister Lucy Walker

Nigeria

1. Alhaji Ayo Ola

2. Chief (Dr.) Gabriel O. Igbinedion, JP

3. Professor D. Femi Pearce

4. Dr. O.A. Balogun, MD

5. Dr. A. L. Salako, MD

6. Mr. Frederick T. Hamman-Hodge

United States of America

1. Senator Edward Kennedy

2. Dr. John Grieverson, MD

3. Mr. Michael Wurm

4. Dr. Mehmed Ali, PhD.

5. Reverend Sue Job

6. Dr. Donald Job

7. Reverend Dr. Amy Allentzhauser PhD

8. Reverend Jeremiah Menyongai, Jr.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I recognize the following for their invaluable contributions in making these memoirs a reality:

My wife, Comfort, whose nightly sleep I have often disrupted just to help recall aspects of these memoirs.

My son, Patrick Chieh, for his continuous persistence that I pen these experiences in the wake of my intransigence.

My daughter, Mrs. Dorothy Doryen Chieh-Johnson and my son, David D. Chieh, Jr., for the initial proofreading and critique of this material.

My daughter, Antoinette Welleh Chieh, for photocopying the League of Nations Report on the Cubert Christie’s Commission.

My grand-daughter, Augusta D. Chieh and my grand-son, Clement D. Chieh who provided secretarial services.

My supervisor, Dr. Mehmed Ali, who motivated me to complete this project.

My pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Menyongai Jr., for the brainstorming sessions, editing and graphic design.

Mr. Dennis Jah who also helped with the editing and provided suggestions for improvement and clarity.

Dr. Emile Tabea who, in spite of his busy schedules, still found time to advise on content and development.

Finally, to other unsung heroes and heroines who were the instruments that God utilized to mold me.

FOREWORD

Huge chunks of Liberia’s history, especially the internal workings of government, are mired in mysteries, exaggerations, conspiracy theories and sometimes imaginary tales. This is an issue of interest especially when government, by conventional understanding, is an institution set up to defend and enhance the wishes and aspirations of its people. It is thus expected that the people should be adequately informed about the workings of their own government. A lack of such transparent environment in Liberia can be blamed on the many decades of exploitation of the majority and a population that expresses little or no interest in civic awareness. But now, there is a rising generation that wants to have factual access to details pertaining to their past, present and future. So, they continue to ask a number of questions.

Many reasons emerge as to why much of what transpired in past Liberian administrations is based on made-up stories.

1. The lack of tell-all books and newspapers articles written by former or present government officials;

2. The eradication or silencing of most key public servants especially when the helm of leadership changes, which in recent memories, is normally done through violence and intimidation.

3. The commitment of successors to discredit the accounts of their predecessors, whether dead or alive, largely under the premise that whatever they publish is an attempt to justify their roles in previous administrations or an attempt to settle scores with the succeeding administration.

At this point, I concede to the tenet that historical accounts are not free of smidgen of subjectivity. This does not negate the notion that some beautiful and keen historical conservatives are with us. Ambassador David Dueh Chieh, Sr. is one of those finest public servants that Liberia has ever produced.

Knowing Ambassador Chieh is an honor. His humility as well as his never-ending desire to learn and impart knowledge is without parallels. When I started a computer learning class under the Jubilee Community Initiatives as part of my contribution to our community, Ambassador Chieh was amongst my first group of students. Though the eldest in the class, it turned out that he was the only student who successfully completed the eleven week-long course. It was in this class that I learned that he was writing his memoirs and needed more computer skills to help enhance the work. During and after the class our interaction grew and we talked adept about Liberia and his work both in the Executive Mansion and as a diplomat. The stories were startling and captivating. In my years as a political blogger and author, I have not come so close to such wealth of knowledge and a heart so humble and willing to pass it on.

In his enchanting memoirs, Spectacular Rise & Catastrophic Fall The Assassinations of Three Liberian Presidents (Memoirs of a Public Servant)", Ambassador David Dueh Chieh, Sr. unveils the internal and not too often divulged workings of government to which he was an eyewitness. Spectacular Rise & Catastrophic Fall is brilliantly contrived and reveals the honesty of the writer. In reading the ambassador’s accounts, one feels his pains, anxieties and perplexities as he recounts the circumstances leading to the deaths of the three heads-of-state under whom he served. One also witnesses, through his experiences, the perseverance and triumphs of individuals and governments even under the most arduous conditions.

Politics, from the outside, offers glamor and attracts envy, but from the inside, the book concedes that political participants must be cautious and watchful at all times.

As painful and excruciating as some of the accounts might be, they are told in a simple and enticing language that keeps readers on edge panting for more. His use of analogies, metaphors, and the unwavering voice of a patriot’s call are added spices that will leave readers panting for more.

Spectacular Rise & Catastrophic Fall espouses the personalities and political acumens of three of Liberia’s most talked-about leaders: Presidents William V. S. Tubman, William R. Tolbert, Jr and Samuel Kanyon Doe. Through his interactions with these chief executives, the author delves into their political inclinations, personal motivations and religious leanings. His accounts of these presidents, interspersed with assessments of their actions and inactions, make him a candid political observer and analyst. Between the lines, the reader encounters the sentiments of the author towards each of these heads-of-state and their styles of governance.

The life of an ambassador is not just a bed of roses, but filled with valleys and plateaus. The author has thus unveiled portions of his personal life to make us envision the disappointments and frustrations that he had to deal with in those moments when he felt let down by the very institution that he had served all his life. His commitment to his family and country is highlighted to convince the reader that the Ambassador was often caught in between his loyalty to his country and government and his natural instinct as a father and husband who was bent on protecting and preserving his family. And believe me, he always made the appropriate choice.

From his life in the administration of President Tubman as a Private Secretary, then with President Tolbert as Deputy Minister and Director of the Cabinet and finally as Deputy Minister for Administration and Ambassador to Nigeria, Benin and Togo under President Doe, the author reveals many incidents that have