Francois Massaquoi
Liberian politician
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Francois Eugene Massaquoi (died 16 April 2001) was a Liberian faction leader and politician. Massaquoi led the Lofa Defense Force during the First Liberian Civil War, and later became a government minister. He died in 2001 after his helicopter came under fire in northern Liberia.
Hon. Francois Eugene Massaquoi | |
|---|---|
| Minister of Youth and Sports | |
| In office 1995–2001 | |
| Preceded by | Conmany Wesseh |
| Succeeded by | Max Dennis |
| Personal details | |
| Died | 16 April 2001 |
| Alma mater | New York University |
Early life and career
Massaquoi belonged to the Loma people.[1] Arriving in the United States in 1965, he studied economics at New York University.[2][3] In 1960s, the discothèque The Church (later renamed 'Sanctuary' for administrative reasons) opened in Hell's Kitchen in the building that today houses the Westside Theatre, with a concept based on stark irreligious themes created by Massaquoi.[4] Massaquoi and his wife Carolyn ran a food importation business in New York in the 1970s.[2] Back in Liberia he worked as a civil servant during the William Tolbert and Samuel Doe governments.[5]
Civil war
He founded the LDF militia in 1991.[5] During the First Liberian Civil War, Massaquoi's LDF fought against the forces of ULIMO over control of Lofa County.[3][5]
Contemporary reporting during the war described the LDF as one of several ethnically based factions that emerged as the conflict fragmented.[6][7]
In December 1994 Massaquoi was one of the signatories of the Accra Clarification Agreement, a peace agreement that was never implemented.[8] Likewise he signed the Abuja I Accord in August 1995, which allowed for the entry of LDF into the government.[8] The Abuja arrangements provided for leaders of armed factions, including Massaquoi, to assume positions within the transitional government.[9]
Massaquoi was named Minister of Youth and Sports in the Liberia National Transitional Government from September 1995 to August 1997.[1][10] In December 1996 a group of LDF soldiers arrived in Monrovia and physically assaulted Massaquoi, accusing him of not providing support for his former fighters.[11]
During the 1997 Liberian general election Massaquoi belonged to the National Democratic Party of Liberia.[1] After the election he was again named Minister of Youth and Sports.[1][12]
Death
Massaquoi died on April 16, 2001.[13] During a visit to Voinjama, his helicopter came under gunfire, and he was fatally wounded in the attack. He later died at a hospital in Gbarnga.[14] Subsequent reports highlighted conflicting accounts surrounding the killing. While some reports stated that Massaquoi had been on a humanitarian mission, others suggested he may have been involved in transporting weapons at the time of the attack.[15][16]
President Charles Taylor announced the creation of a commission to investigate the circumstances of Massaquoi's death, but the announcement was met with skepticism in Liberia at the time.[17] Subsequent reports highlighted conflicting accounts surrounding the killing.[18]