Liberia: The United Liberation Movement of Liberia for Democracy (ULIMO)-J faction including its leader, known activities in 1997, treatment of its supporters by the Taylor administration, and whether members of the Fante and Americo-Liberian ethnic groups would be activists in the faction (1997)
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 January 1999 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | LBR30811.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Liberia: The United Liberation Movement of Liberia for Democracy (ULIMO)-J faction including its leader, known activities in 1997, treatment of its supporters by the Taylor administration, and whether members of the Fante and Americo-Liberian ethnic groups would be activists in the faction (1997), 1 January 1999, LBR30811.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6aad767.html [accessed 1 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
The Ulimo Liberation Movement of Liberia for Democracy (ULIMO) was initially founded in 1991 by Krahn and Mandingo ethnic groups, and was led by Alhaji G.V. Kromah (AI Oct. 1997, 13). In 1994, it split into two groups: ULIMO-K and ULIMO-J, led by Roosevelt Johnson (ibid.).
After the Presidential election of July 1997, fighting factions were disbanded and Roosevelt Johnson became the minister of rural development (AFP 5 Oct. 1998; ibid., 5 Aug. 1997). However, the Taylor administration has since accused Roosevelt Johnson of treason, and he lives in exile in Nigeria (AFP 27 Sept. 1998).
Amnesty International reports that in February 1997, "four dock workers suspected of being former ULIMO-J fighters were arrested in Sayontown and taken to the ECOMOG base in Monrovia. There, three ECOMOG soldiers reportedly beat them with wire on the back, shoulders and legs and kicked them," but they were later released "after 14 March, when Alhaji Kromah, former leader of the defunct ULIMO-Kromah (ULIMO-K) branch, apologized for an arms cache found in his home" (1997, 236).
Information on whether Fante and Americo-Liberians would be activists in ULIMO-J could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate. An official of the Africa Justice and Peace Network, a Catholic organization based in Washington DC, with expertise in Liberia, stated that as a group, the Fante are not actively involved in politics because they are considered "foreigners." He explained that they are originally from Ghana and are found along the coastal area. He further stated that they tend to be fishermen. This information is corroborated by The Encyclopedia of the Third World (1992, 1122).
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please see the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Agence France Presse (AFP). 5 October 1998. "Monrovia Residents Complain of Harassment, Death Threats." (NEXIS)
_____. 26 September 1998. "La destination finale de Roosevelt Johnson est le Nigeria, selon Taylor." (NEXIS)
_____. 5 August 1997. "Liberia's Taylor Gives Dead-end Job Back to Former Foe." (NEXIS)
Amnesty International. 1998. Amnesty International Report 1998. Amnesty International USA.
_____. October 1997. Liberia: Time to take Human Rights Seriously-Placing Human Rights on the National Agenda. (AI Index: AFR: 34/05/97). London: Amnesty International.
Encyclopedia of the Third World. 1992. 4th ed. Vol. 2. Edited by George Thomas Kurian. New York: Facts on File.
Official of the Africa Peace and Justice Network, Washington, DC. 6 January 1991. Telephone interview.
Additional Sources Consulted
Africa Research Bulletin (ARB): Political, Social and Cultural Series [Oxford]. July-December 1997. Vol. 34. Nos. 7-12.
Africa Confidential [London]. July-December 1997. Vol. 38.
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1997. 1998. United States Department of State. Washington, DC: United States Government Printing Office.
West Africa [London]. July-December 1997. Nos. 4156-4179.
Electronic sources: IRB Databases, LEXIS/NEXIS, Internet, World News Connection (WNC).
One oral source consulted did not provide information on this subject.
