Military-civilian rule for Liberia

Press, 15 April 1980, Page 8

Military-civilian rule for Liberia

NZPA-Reuter Monrovia Liberia’s new military ruler, Master Sergeant Samuel Doe, has named a mixed military-civilian Cabinet and announced that officials of the ousted Government will be put on trial tomorrow. . Sergeant Doe was installed as Head of State after he led a coup at the week-end in which President William Tolbert was assassinated. The new ruler said charges against the former officials would include high treason, rampant corruption of public office, and gross violation of civil and human rights, according to Liberia Radio. Radio Elwa, a missionary broadcasting service in Monrovia, the capital, said Sergeant Doe would address the nation on radio and television tomorrow. The broadcast diq not name the former officials detained but it was believed they included members of President Tolbert’s Cabinet, with the exception of three who retain posts in the new Government. The accused officials, now in a military prison, would be tried by a six-man milltary tribunal, the radio said. Sergeant Doe’s Cabinet of 15 includes five military officers. . . At least four of its civilian members are among leaders of the People’s Progressive Party who were jailed by the Tolbert Government on treason charges and released immediately after the coup. Tomorrow was the day originally set for the indictment of the accused Progressive Party members.

There were unofficial reports that the homes of some former Cabinet Ministers had been ransacked,- and the radio said those responsible for further incidents of this kind would be punished. The radio said everything was now under control in the West African country of two million people, and that members of the public should go about their normal business. ’• .' -• | The broadcast also asked taxis and buses to continue business so that people could attend church. j The radio said i Gabriel Baccus Matthews, chairman of the P.P.P., had been named Foreign Minister in the new Cabinet, i The Liberian Radio Jater broadcast another announcement by Sergeant Doe, promoting two captains to the rank of lieutenant-general and major-general. The announcement said two warrant officers and four sergeants had been promoted to colonel. The 28-year-old Sergeant Doe said the coup was mounted to end corruption and ineffective government. Mr Tolbert, who was 66, was shot three times 'in the head after rebels broke into his palace; His wife was arrested. In Trenton, New Jersey, a nephew of President Tolbert has gone into hiding after an anonymous telephone caller told him: “We’re coming to get you.” Francis Tolbert, who has lived in the United States for eight years, said he received the call about the time that army rebels were overthrowing and killing his uncle in Liberia. ;;