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— The two men blamed for ex-President Doe’s death died within days of each other; a coincidence or divine?
The passing of Lieutenant General Arnold Quainoo (Retired), a celebrated Ghanaian military officer and diplomat, marks the end of an era in West African military history. Known widely as the “Buffalo Soldier,” Lt. Gen. Quainoo, who was the first commander of the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG), died on December 2, 2024, at the 37 Military Hospital in Accra, Ghana.
His death comes just days after that of Prince Yormie Johnson, the Liberian rebel leader who captured and executed President Samuel Kanyon Doe during Liberia’s brutal civil war—a historical coincidence underscoring the deep complexities of his legacy.
Born into a family of discipline and duty, Lt. Gen. Arnold Quainoo rose to prominence in Ghana’s military circles, serving as Chief of Defence Staff from 1983 to 1989 under the leadership of Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings. His tenure coincided with one of the most politically turbulent periods in Ghana’s history, characterized by coup d’états, economic challenges, and military reforms. However, it was his international service during the Liberian Civil War that would etch his name indelibly into the annals of West African history.
A peacekeeper in Liberia’s chaos
Lt. Gen. Quainoo assumed command of ECOMOG in 1990 as West Africa grappled with the catastrophic civil war in Liberia. His mission was to enforce peace in a conflict that had torn apart the fabric of the nation. Under his leadership, ECOMOG deployed to Monrovia, tasked with protecting civilians, restoring order, and mediating between warring factions.
However, his time in Liberia became shrouded in controversy following the tragic capture and execution of President Samuel Kanyon Doe on September 9, 1990. Doe, who had come to ECOMOG headquarters under the belief that he would be offered protection, was instead disarmed alongside his bodyguards. Shortly thereafter, Prince Y. Johnson, leader of the Independent National Patriotic Front of Liberia (INPFL), stormed the compound with his men, leading to a violent confrontation. Doe was captured, tortured, and killed—a sequence of events that would haunt Lt. Gen. Quainoo for the rest of his life.
The burden of history
For decades, questions lingered over ECOMOG’s role in Doe’s death. Critics alleged that Quainoo, as force commander, had failed to protect the Liberian president and had disarmed Doe’s guards while leaving Prince Johnson’s men unchallenged. The accusations created a cloud of suspicion, with some suggesting complicity or, at the very least, negligence. General Quainoo consistently denied these allegations, asserting that the plot to kill Doe was orchestrated without his knowledge.
In a rare public statement years later, he expressed deep frustration with what he perceived as unfair blame. “The assassination of President Doe was done behind me,” he declared. He suggested that a “West African state” had been involved in the plot but refrained from naming the country, promising to reveal the full story in his memoirs—a promise that remains unfulfilled with his passing.
Lt. Gen. Quainoo also laid some responsibility on Doe himself, citing his refusal to heed warnings and accept asylum arrangements that might have saved his life. According to Quainoo, Doe’s “pride and stubbornness” ultimately led him into the hands of his enemies.
A legacy of service and controversy
The final years of Lt. Gen. Quainoo’s life were spent reflecting on the events in Liberia and defending his record as a soldier and peacekeeper. He maintained that his primary goal in Liberia was to protect lives and facilitate peace, not to meddle in the country’s internal political struggles. Nevertheless, the shadow of Doe’s assassination and the complexities of the Liberian conflict followed him to the grave.
Ironically, his death came just days after Prince Y. Johnson, the man who orchestrated Doe’s gruesome death, also passed away. The two men, linked by one of Liberia’s most infamous historical episodes, now share a posthumous connection that underscores the tragic and intertwined fates of West Africa’s key players during the Liberian Civil War.
The “Buffalo Soldier”
Despite the controversies, Lt. Gen. Quainoo’s contributions to Ghana and West Africa remain undeniable. As a military leader, he served his country with distinction, twice holding the role of Army Commander and guiding the Ghana Armed Forces through pivotal transitions. His nickname, “Buffalo Soldier,” symbolized his resilience and determination in the face of immense challenges.
He was also a man of deep humility, once recounting how his arrival in Liberia was met with both fear and respect. While he was warmly welcomed with a military parade, he admitted to feeling trepidation about the complex and dangerous mission ahead.
Lt. Gen. Arnold Quainoo leaves behind a legacy of service, sacrifice, and enduring questions. His life and career encapsulate the triumphs and trials of military leadership in a volatile region. As West Africa continues to grapple with its past and strive for peace, the lessons of his life — both inspiring and cautionary — will not be forgotten.
