John Tarnue
John S. Tarnue | |
|---|---|
| Allegiance |  Liberia |
Branch | Armed Forces of Liberia |
Rank | Brigadier |
| Commands | Armed Forces of Liberia |
Conflicts | Second Liberian Civil War |
Brigadier John S. Tarnue is a former Liberian military officer who served as Commanding General of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) from 1999 to 2003 during the Second Liberian Civil War. He was appointed to the position by President Charles Taylor in November 1999, succeeding General Kpenkpah Konah. Prior to his appointment, Tarnue served as training commander of the Special Security Service (SSS).[1][2]
During the civil war, Tarnue was regarded as one of Taylor's closest military allies and was described in international reporting as a senior figure within the Taylor government's military structure.[3]
Military career
[edit]In August 2000, Tarnue was reportedly suspended by President Charles Taylor after allegedly providing misleading assessments of fighting in Lofa County during clashes between Liberian government forces and dissident fighters operating near the border with Guinea. According to IRIN, Tarnue later faced a board of inquiry, was cleared of wrongdoing, and reinstated as army commander.[4]
Tarnue's name was among 130 Liberian officials subjected to international travel restrictions imposed by the United Nations Security Council in June 2001 during the Second Liberian Civil War. The sanctions targeted senior members of the Taylor government and security apparatus over allegations of support for regional armed groups, including the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) in neighboring Sierra Leone.[5]
Following the end of the Second Liberian Civil War and the resignation of President Taylor in 2003, Tarnue was relieved of his position as Commanding General of the AFL and reassigned as Training Officer at the Anti-Terrorist Unit (ATU). He was also reportedly released from house arrest during the restructuring of the military command.[6]
Land dispute allegations
[edit]Reverend Tijli Tarty Tyee alleged during testimony before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Liberia that Tarnue and soldiers under his command were involved in a violent land dispute with him and his family in 1999. According to Tyee, Tarnue, accompanied by members of the AFL, the Special Security Service (SSS), and the ATU, arrived at his residence in two pickup trucks and forcibly took him to disputed property, where he was severely beaten.
Tyee further alleged that the dispute centered on ownership claims made by the Tarnue family, who asserted that the land had been sold to them by former Liberian military leader Gabriel Duncan. During his testimony, Tyee stated that members of the Tarnue family continued to claim ownership of the property even after Tarnue had left Liberia.[7]
Special Court for Sierra Leone
[edit]Tarnue later testified before the Special Court for Sierra Leone during proceedings involving the Revolutionary United Front. Court testimony and reporting described him as a close military associate of former President Taylor.[8]
In testimony before the court, Tarnue discussed Liberian military operations and contacts between the Taylor government and Sierra Leonean rebel factions during the regional conflicts of the 1990s and early 2000s.[9]
Tarnue also stated that he fled Liberia to Ghana seeking medical treatment and political asylum after allegedly being arbitrarily arrested and tortured following the collapse of the Taylor government.[10]
Following his testimony, he and his family were reportedly relocated to an undisclosed country for security reasons.[11]
Postwar activities
[edit]In 2004, Tarnue was reported to have participated in discussions involving former AFL personnel during Liberia's postwar political transition.[12]
By 2007, Tarnue was reportedly living in the United States and working as a security guard in Baltimore, Maryland.[3]
See also
[edit]- Lahai Gbabye Lansanah, former adjutant to Tarnue and Senior Senator from Bomi County
References
[edit]- ↑ "World: Africa: Liberia names new army chief". BBC News. 19 November 1999. Retrieved 7 May 2026.
- ↑ "New armed forces chiefs named". IRIN. 19 November 1999. Retrieved 7 May 2026.
- 1 2 Gettleman, Jeffrey (1 February 2007). "American Warlord". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 7 May 2026.
- ↑ "Taylor suspends defence minister for insubordination". IRIN. 5 September 2000. Retrieved 7 May 2026.
- ↑ "UN Slams Door On 130 Liberian Officials". The Perspective. 7 June 2001. Retrieved 7 May 2026.
- ↑ "Liberia: AFL Reshuffles High Command". AllAfrica. 17 August 2003. Retrieved 7 May 2026.
- ↑ "UN, Lutheran Massacres Victim Testifies". Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Liberia. 28 January 2008. Retrieved 7 May 2026.
- ↑ "Witnesses 'bribed' in war crimes trials". The National. 3 June 2008. Archived from the original on 25 August 2009. Retrieved 7 May 2026.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ "Special Court for Sierra Leone Trial Transcript, 5 October 2004" (PDF). Special Court for Sierra Leone. Retrieved 7 May 2026.
- ↑ "Sierra Leone: Special Court: FBI Involvement Revealed". AllAfrica. 14 October 2004. Retrieved 7 May 2026.
- ↑ "Witnesses 'bribed' in war crimes trials". The National. 3 June 2008. Archived from the original on 25 August 2009. Retrieved 7 May 2026.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - ↑ "Liberia: Ex-AFL Soldiers Demand Benefits". AllAfrica. 15 October 2004. Retrieved 7 May 2026.