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Gyude Bryant
Gyude Bryant
Chairman of the Transitional Government of Liberia
In office October 14, 2003 – January 16, 2006
Preceded by	Moses Blah
Succeeded by	Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf
Personal details
Born	(1949-01-17) January 17, 1949 (age 75)
Nationality	Liberian
Political party	Liberian Action Party

Charles Gyude Bryant (born January 17, 1949) was the Chairman of the Transitional Government of Liberia from October 14, 2003 until January 16, 2006. The installation of the transitional government was part of the peace agreement to end the country's second civil war, which had raged since the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) rebelled against President Charles Taylor in 1999. Bryant was previously a businessman and was chosen as chairman because he was seen as politically neutral and therefore acceptable to each of the warring factions, which included LURD, the Movement for Democracy in Liberia (MODEL), and loyalists of former President Taylor. He is a prominent member of the Episcopal Church of Liberia, and was critical of the governments of Samuel Doe (1980–1990) and Taylor (1997–2003).

Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf won the 2005 elections and took office in January 2006, succeeding Bryant.

Embezzlement

In January 2007, Bryant was questioned by police regarding allegations of corruption during his time in office. On 27 February, 2007, Bryant was charged with embezzlement. His government is alleged to have embezzled more than 1 million USD. On 12 March a warrant was issued for his arrest. He was not immediately arrested because he was said to be absent from Monrovia and in Lofa County instead, but on March 13 he was arrested and released on bond shortly thereafter. In court on April 25, the defense argued that Bryant constitutionally enjoyed immunity for actions taken as head of state, while the prosecution argued that he did not because his appointment resulted from the Accra Accords in August 2003 and occurred outside the constitutional framework. On August 24 2007, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of the prosecution's argument, enabling Bryant's trial to continue.

References

1. Jonathan Paye-Layleh, "Liberia ex-leader probed on graft", BBC News, January 19, 2007.
2. "Liberia's ex-leader 'stole $1m', BBC News, February 28, 2007.
3. "Liberia to arrest ex-interim president", AFP (IOL), March 13, 2007.
4. Naomi Schwarz, "Former Liberian Transitional President Arrested for Corruption", VOA News, March 13, 2007.
5. "Liberia: le parquet général dénie toute immunité à l'ex-président Bryant", AFP (Jeuneafrique.com), April 25, 2007 Template:Fr.
6. "Liberia: la Cour suprême donne son feu vert pour juger l'ex-président Bryant", AFP (Jeuneafrique.com), August 24, 2007 Template:Fr.

v t e Presidents of Liberia
Roberts Benson Warner Payne Roye Smith Roberts Payne Gardiner Russell Johnson Cheeseman Coleman Gibson A. Barclay Howard King E. Barclay Tubman Tolbert Doe Sawyer Kpormakpor Sankawulo Perry Taylor Blah Bryant Sirleaf Weah Boakai
indicates non-presidential heads of state.

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