Former Commissioner of the defunct Liberia Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) John Stewart has shed light on what he claims to be a connection between former President George Manneh Weah and the rebel group Movement for Democracy in Liberia (MODEL).
Stewart took to his Facebook page on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, to share what he described as “informed sources,” suggesting that Weah played a key role in introducing MODEL’s leadership to Didier Drogba, a close ally of Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo at the time. According to Stewart, Drogba, a prominent footballer, supported Gbagbo, who faced increasing pressure from the New Forces led by Guillaume Soro and external threats from rebel factions, including the forces of former Liberian President Charles Taylor.
Stewart detailed how, during this volatile period, the leadership of MODEL, which he said was aligned with the Liberians United for Reconstruction and Democracy (LURD), sought military assistance from Gbagbo to create an eastern front against Taylor’s forces. At the time, LURD was conducting raids from Guinea, using U.S. military logistics and hardware support. According to Stewart, this coordination between MODEL, LURD, and Gbagbo was part of an effort to weaken Taylor’s military on multiple fronts.
“This is not a new claim, but a matter of record among many informed sources present at the time,” Stewart wrote in his post. He continued, explaining the tense situation in Liberia during 2003 when many residents, fearing the fall of Monrovia to advancing rebel forces, fled to areas such as Harbel and the Firestone plantation, believed to be safer. Meanwhile, MODEL was reportedly racing toward Buchanan, and with that, the Roberts International Airport and Harbel were at risk of falling into rebel hands.
Stewart also referred to the peace talks held in Accra in mid-2003, which Taylor attended. At that moment, an unsealed criminal indictment against Taylor was not acted upon, and instead, he was allowed to return to Liberia. During this period, Nigerian troops stationed in Liberia seized a shipment of arms destined for the rebels at the airport as part of the peacekeeping efforts outlined in the Accra Comprehensive Peace Agreement.
“George Weah allegedly played a role in securing Ivorian military support for MODEL,” Stewart stated, addressing the long-standing accusations by some individuals, including Representative Yekeh Kolubah, who has consistently alleged that Weah had ties to the rebel group. Stewart’s experience as a UN National Field Security officer overseeing the establishment of Disarmament and Demobilization Rehabilitation and Resettlement (DDRR) camps around the country further reinforced his claims. According to him, none of the heavy weapons used by MODEL, including a notorious artillery piece referred to as the “Turtle,” were turned in at the Disarmament camps near Harper.
Stewart emphasized that his post was written in response to an overwhelming number of inquiries he had received regarding Weah’s alleged connections to the armed faction. This article sheds light on an issue that has long stirred controversy and debate among political figures, activists, and citizens alike.
