Doe, Samuel Kanyon (1950-1990)

Liberian politician and soldier, head of state 1980-90. After seizing power in a coup, Doe made himself general and army commander-in-chief. As chair of the People's Redemption Council (PRC) he was the first Liberian ruler to come from an indigenous Liberian group, ending the political dominance of the US-Liberian elite. He lifted the ban on political parties in 1984 and was elected president in 1985, as leader of the newly formed National Democratic Party of Liberia. Despite alleged electoral fraud, he was sworn in during January 1986. Having successfully put down an uprising in April 1990, Doe was deposed and killed by rebel forces in September 1990. His regime was notable for incompetence and a poor human-rights record.

Doe was born into the Krahn ethnic group. He left secondary school in 1967 and joined the army in 1979, rising to the rank of master sergeant in 1989.