Brownie Samukai
Encyclopedia
Brownie Samukai is the Minister of National Defence
of Liberia
. He took office on January 16, 2006, as part of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf's Cabinet
.
In the 1980s he worked within the Liberian Ministry of National Defense
. In 1986-87 he was working within the G-4 Branch of the AFL.
In 1991, according to biographical details issued at a 2007 U.S. Institute of Peace briefing, he was appointed as Deputy Minister of Defence for Operations. The biographical details said that he 'was responsible for reestablishing civilian control over the Liberian army and established an urban response team to counter urban terrorism.' He served in this position until 1994.
In 1993-94, he served as commander of the 'Black Berets,' a paramilitary police force in the Monrovia
enclave of Amos Sawyer
's Interim Government of National Unity (IGNU). The International Crisis Group
also notes that the Black Berets also fought alongside ECOMOG at times, notably during Charles Taylor's 1992 assault on Monrovia ('Operation Octopus'). 'They and the AFL were accused of killing some 600 civilians in the June 1993 Camp Carter massacre, which, testimony at the Liberian Truth and Reconciliation Commission has indicated, was perpetuated by Taylor's NPFL fighters, who may have orchestrated it to put blame on the Armed Forces of Liberia
.'
He served as Director of the Liberian National Police from 1994–95 and Deputy Minister of State for Administration from 1995 to 1997.
In 1998 he served on the AFL Restructuring Commission, where he was listed as a retired Colonel of the AFL in private business.
From 1999 to c.2004/05 he served as a security officer with the United Nations
, initially with UNTAET in East Timor, and then from 2000 with UNHCR and the UN Department of Safety and Security in Tanzania. Responsible for refugee resettlement in Tanzania.
Defence minister
A defence minister is a person in a cabinet position in charge of a Ministry of Defence, which regulates the armed forces in some sovereign nations...
of Liberia
Liberia
Liberia , officially the Republic of Liberia, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Sierra Leone on the west, Guinea on the north and Côte d'Ivoire on the east. Liberia's coastline is composed of mostly mangrove forests while the more sparsely populated inland consists of forests that open...
. He took office on January 16, 2006, as part of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf's Cabinet
Ministers of the Liberian Government
The Cabinet of Liberia, together with the President and Vice President, form the executive branch of government in the country. The President, with the consent of the Senate, appoints cabinet ministers.- The current government :...
.
In the 1980s he worked within the Liberian Ministry of National Defense
Ministry of National Defense (Liberia)
The Ministry of National Defense is the government ministry responsible for the maintenance of the national defense and the governance of the military of Liberia, the Armed Forces of Liberia. The current Minister of National Defense is Hon. Brownie J. Samukai. Dionysius Sebwe is the current...
. In 1986-87 he was working within the G-4 Branch of the AFL.
In 1991, according to biographical details issued at a 2007 U.S. Institute of Peace briefing, he was appointed as Deputy Minister of Defence for Operations. The biographical details said that he 'was responsible for reestablishing civilian control over the Liberian army and established an urban response team to counter urban terrorism.' He served in this position until 1994.
In 1993-94, he served as commander of the 'Black Berets,' a paramilitary police force in the Monrovia
Monrovia
Monrovia is the capital city of the West African nation of Liberia. Located on the Atlantic Coast at Cape Mesurado, it lies geographically within Montserrado County, but is administered separately...
enclave of Amos Sawyer
Amos Sawyer
Dr. Amos Claudius Sawyer was the President of the Interim Government of National Unity in Liberia . Sawyer was born to Abel Sawyer and Sarah Sawyer in 1945, of Sarpo ethnicity; his siblings include Joe Sawyer; the Sawyers were a prominent family in Sinoe County...
's Interim Government of National Unity (IGNU). The International Crisis Group
International Crisis Group
The International Crisis Group is an international, non-profit, non-governmental organization whose mission is to prevent and resolve deadly conflicts around the world through field-based analyses and high-level advocacy.-History:...
also notes that the Black Berets also fought alongside ECOMOG at times, notably during Charles Taylor's 1992 assault on Monrovia ('Operation Octopus'). 'They and the AFL were accused of killing some 600 civilians in the June 1993 Camp Carter massacre, which, testimony at the Liberian Truth and Reconciliation Commission has indicated, was perpetuated by Taylor's NPFL fighters, who may have orchestrated it to put blame on the Armed Forces of Liberia
Armed Forces of Liberia
The Armed Forces of Liberia are the armed forces of the Republic of Liberia. Founded as the Liberian Frontier Force in 1908, the military was retitled in 1956. For virtually all of its history, the AFL has received considerable materiel and training assistance from the United States. For most of...
.'
He served as Director of the Liberian National Police from 1994–95 and Deputy Minister of State for Administration from 1995 to 1997.
In 1998 he served on the AFL Restructuring Commission, where he was listed as a retired Colonel of the AFL in private business.
From 1999 to c.2004/05 he served as a security officer with the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
, initially with UNTAET in East Timor, and then from 2000 with UNHCR and the UN Department of Safety and Security in Tanzania. Responsible for refugee resettlement in Tanzania.
External links
- Interview with Brownie Samukai, Jane's Defence WeeklyJane's Defence WeeklyJane's Defence Weekly is a weekly magazine reporting on military and corporate affairs, edited by Peter Felstead. It is one of a number of military-related publications named after John F. T. Jane, an Englishman who first published Jane's All the World's Fighting Ships in 1898...
, 14 January 2008 - Ministry of Defence
- Allegations regarding relatives' position within Ministry of Defense