A House with Two Rooms - The Advocates for Human Rights

having us executed, Prince Johnson gave the order to have us released. 125
While the INPFL targeted specific groups, it also demonstrated the same greed, lack of discipline, and
depravity that characterized other armed factions. In addition to taking revenge, INPFL rebels often
extorted money from the civilian population. One statement giver described how the INPFL in 1990
demanded money from his family, who were prosperous and worked for the government:
On that fateful cool morning, Prince Johnson and his INPFL attacked our
home. At dawn, [they] ordered our entire family out in single file: father,
mother, brothers and sister. They ordered my father to surrender his financial
assets, but he told them that he had no money with [him that] instant. They
(rebels about 8 in number) pushed him six feet and shot [him] in the head
and chest. My mother ran on top of his body. She was shot from the back
twice. [W]hen my brother and sister ran to their bodies, they too were shot
at close range. 126
Combatants are prohibited, at all times and places, from committing “violence to life and person, in
particular murder of all kinds” against persons not taking part in the hostilities. Art. 3(1)(a), Convention
(IV) relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War.
firSt Battle for monrovia: July 1990
By summer 1990, Monrovia remained an area of contention among warring factions. Doe, while still
in office, was losing his ability to administer the country and enforce the rule of law. 127 The INPFL
commanded various areas of Monrovia, as well as Bushrod Island. 128 Taylor controlled large, key parts
of Liberia, but Monrovia still remained outside of NPFL control. As different forces sought to acquire
or retain control of the capital, intense fighting around Monrovia surged during battles in 1990, 1992,
and 1996. These three battles afforded factions not only the opportunity to seize Monrovia, but also
the chance for opportunists to plunder and take revenge. 129
One statement giver described the atmosphere leading up to the first battle for Monrovia as “tense”
because “[t]he rebels were coming; nobody knew when.” 130 Another statement giver described how,
in April 1990, people heard rumors that rebels were approaching Monrovia. 131 Businesses began
to shut down, some government officials fled the country, and food became increasingly scarce. 132
While there were rumors that the rebels and the AFL were fighting in nearby neighborhoods, there
were no confirmations on either of the two radio stations. 133 Some Liberians who had education and
employment at stake took notice of the impending crisis. One statement giver, who was a high school
student living with his brother, a physician, described the growing realization that it was necessary to
leave:
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Chapter Seven