Gray D. Allison
Gray D. Allison | |
|---|---|
| Minister of National Defense | |
| In office 1982 – July 1989 | |
| President | Samuel Doe |
| Preceded by | Albert Karpeh |
| Succeeded by | J. Boima Barclay |
| Personal details | |
| Died | c. 1990 Voinjama, Lofa County, Liberia |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Liberia |
| Branch/service | Armed Forces of Liberia |
| Rank | Major general |
Gray Dio-Glaye Allison (died c. 1990) was a Liberian military officer who served as Minister of National Defense from 1982 to 1989 under President Samuel Doe. He was dismissed in 1989 after being charged in connection with a ritual killing case and was subsequently convicted and sentenced to death by a military tribunal.
Career
Allison was appointed Minister of National Defense in 1982, succeeding General Albert Karpeh, and served in the position until his dismissal in July 1989 following his arrest.[1]
During Allison’s tenure as Minister of National Defense, the Armed Forces of Liberia were involved in the suppression of student protests at the University of Liberia in August 1984. The demonstrations were sparked by opposition to the detention of political figures, including Dr. Amos Sawyer and Dr. Togba-Nah Tipoteh.[2]
Troops entered the university campus to disperse protesters, resulting in violent clashes in which numerous students and faculty members were injured.[2]
The incident, sometimes referred to as the “Move or be removed” crackdown, became one of the most notable examples of the Doe administration’s use of military force against civilian demonstrators and drew both domestic and international criticism.[2]
Role in 1985 assassination attempt investigation
During Allison’s tenure as Minister of National Defense, he played a central role in the investigation of the April 1, 1985 assassination attempt on President Samuel Doe by Lieutenant Colonel Moses M. D. Flazamington.[3]
According to testimony presented to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Flazamington opened fire on the presidential vehicle with a .50 caliber machine gun, wounding security personnel but failing to kill Doe.[3]
The same testimony indicates that Allison presided over aspects of the subsequent investigation into the attack.[3]
Arrest, dismissal, and conviction
In June 1989, Allison was arrested and charged with ordering the ritual killing of a police officer, reportedly in connection with a plot to overthrow President Samuel Doe.[4][5]
He was dismissed as Minister of National Defense in July 1989 following the charges. The victim was identified as police patrolman Melvin Pyne.[6]
In August 1989, a military court found Allison guilty and sentenced him to death by firing squad, pending presidential approval.[7]
Death
According to testimony presented to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Liberia, Allison was taken from Belleh Yellah Garrison in 1990 and transported to Voinjama, where he was reportedly executed by firing squad.[8]
Personal life
Allison was married to Angeline “Watta” Allison. During the First Liberian Civil War, she was captured by forces loyal to warlord Prince Y. Johnson. According to reporting by FrontPage Africa, she was interrogated on video and was reportedly executed on Johnson’s orders.[9]
Legacy
Allison is considered one of the most prominent officials of the Doe era to be convicted of ritual killing, reflecting the political instability and climate of fear that characterized Liberia in the late 1980s.[10]
See also
- Samuel Doe
- First Liberian Civil War
- Armed Forces of Liberia
References
- ↑ "Ministry of National Defense – List of Ministers". Ministry of National Defense (Liberia).
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Liberian Confirms Misconduct". The Washington Post. September 7, 1984.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "The Story Of Flazamington's Assassination Plot...Witness Details Accounts". Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Liberia.
- ↑ "Ritual Killing Laid to Liberian Official". The New York Times. August 15, 1989.
- ↑ "Sorcery at High Levels: In Liberia, Politics Is Spellbound". Los Angeles Times. July 22, 1989.
- ↑ "Ex-Liberian Official Sentenced to Die for Ritual Murder". Los Angeles Times. August 19, 1989.
- ↑ "General Sentenced in Liberia". The New York Times. August 19, 1989.
- ↑ "TRC Hearings Transcript". Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Liberia.
- ↑ "Liberia: Prince Johnson 'Sentenced My Mother to Death' – Watta Allison's Son Breaks Silence". FrontPage Africa. June 28, 2018.
- ↑ "The Liberian Government Must Take Charge Of Our Security". FrontPage Africa. January 17, 2022.
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Albert Karpeh |
Minister of National Defense 1982–1989 |
Succeeded by J. Boima Barclay |
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