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 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 (1980–90) 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 US$1 million. 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
- Jonathan Paye-Layleh, Liberia ex-leader probed on graft, BBC News Online, January 19, 2007.
- Liberia's ex-leader 'stole $1m', BBC News Online, February 28, 2007.
- Liberia to arrest ex-interim president, AFP (Independent Online), March 13, 2007.
- Naomi Schwarz, Former Liberian Transitional President Arrested for Corruption, Voice of America News, March 13, 2007.
- Liberia: le parquet général dénie toute immunité à l'ex-président Bryant, AFP (Jeuneafrique.com), April 25, 2007 Template:Fr icon.
- Liberia: la Cour suprême donne son feu vert pour juger l'ex-président Bryant, AFP (Jeuneafrique.com), August 24, 2007 Template:Fr icon.
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| Preceded byMoses Blah | Chairman of the Transitional Government of Liberia 2003–2006 |
Succeeded byEllen Johnson-Sirleaf |
| Presidents of Liberia | ||
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