John Tarnue
Encyclopedia
Brigadier
John S. Tarnue is a former Liberia
n military officer. Tarnue was the Commanding General of the Armed Forces of Liberia
(AFL) from 1999-2003 (Second Liberian Civil War
). Tarnue lost his position in 2003 when Charles Taylor resigned from power.
during the Second Liberian Civil War
.
that Tarnue and the soldiers under his command invaded Tyee's land in 1999 while also severely beating Rev. Tyee. Tarnue's family alleged control of the land, citing a sale by Gabriel Duncan.
in front of the Special Court for Sierra Leone
. Tarnue was portrayed as the "right hand man" of former President Taylor. After testifying, Tarnue was relocated with his family to an undisclosed country.
Brigadier
Brigadier is a senior military rank, the meaning of which is somewhat different in different military services. The brigadier rank is generally superior to the rank of colonel, and subordinate to major general....
John S. Tarnue is a former Liberia
Liberia
Liberia , officially the Republic of Liberia, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Sierra Leone on the west, Guinea on the north and Côte d'Ivoire on the east. Liberia's coastline is composed of mostly mangrove forests while the more sparsely populated inland consists of forests that open...
n military officer. Tarnue was the Commanding General of the Armed Forces of Liberia
Armed Forces of Liberia
The Armed Forces of Liberia are the armed forces of the Republic of Liberia. Founded as the Liberian Frontier Force in 1908, the military was retitled in 1956. For virtually all of its history, the AFL has received considerable materiel and training assistance from the United States. For most of...
(AFL) from 1999-2003 (Second Liberian Civil War
Second Liberian Civil War
The Second Liberian Civil War began in 1999 when a rebel group backed by the government of neighbouring Guinea, the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy , emerged in northern Liberia. In early 2003, a second rebel group, the Movement for Democracy in Liberia, emerged in the south, and...
). Tarnue lost his position in 2003 when Charles Taylor resigned from power.
Travel ban by the United Nations
Tarnue's name was among 130 Liberian officials banned from travel in June 2001 by the United Nations Security CouncilUnited Nations Security Council
The United Nations Security Council is one of the principal organs of the United Nations and is charged with the maintenance of international peace and security. Its powers, outlined in the United Nations Charter, include the establishment of peacekeeping operations, the establishment of...
during the Second Liberian Civil War
Second Liberian Civil War
The Second Liberian Civil War began in 1999 when a rebel group backed by the government of neighbouring Guinea, the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy , emerged in northern Liberia. In early 2003, a second rebel group, the Movement for Democracy in Liberia, emerged in the south, and...
.
Honoring
Tarnue was among several former AFL officers honored on 25 July 2006 by the government of Liberia for honorable service.Land invasion allegation
Reverend Tijli Tarty Tyee alleged during testimony in front of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of LiberiaTruth and Reconciliation Commission (Liberia)
The Liberian Truth and Reconciliation Commission is a Parliament-enacted organization created in May 2005 under Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.Its mandate is to "promote national peace, security, unity and reconciliation" by investigating more than 20 years of civil conflict in the country and to report on...
that Tarnue and the soldiers under his command invaded Tyee's land in 1999 while also severely beating Rev. Tyee. Tarnue's family alleged control of the land, citing a sale by Gabriel Duncan.
Special Court for Sierra Leone
Tarnue testified against the Revolutionary United FrontRevolutionary United Front
The Revolutionary United Front was a rebel army that fought a failed eleven-year war in Sierra Leone, starting in 1991 and ending in 2002. It later developed into a political party, which existed until 2007...
in front of the Special Court for Sierra Leone
Special Court for Sierra Leone
The Special Court for Sierra Leone is an independent judicial body set up to "try those who bear greatest responsibility" for the war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Sierra Leone after 30 November 1996 during the Sierra Leone Civil War...
. Tarnue was portrayed as the "right hand man" of former President Taylor. After testifying, Tarnue was relocated with his family to an undisclosed country.
See also
- Lahai Gbabye LansanahLahai Gbabye LansanahAdjutant Lahai Gbabye Lansanah is a Liberian politician and former military officer. Lansanah is a member of the National Democratic Party of Liberia. Lansanah was elected to the Senate of Liberia in the 2005 general election as Senior Senator from the Bomi County. He is one of two senators from...
, former adjutantAdjutantAdjutant is a military rank or appointment. In some armies, including most English-speaking ones, it is an officer who assists a more senior officer, while in other armies, especially Francophone ones, it is an NCO , normally corresponding roughly to a Staff Sergeant or Warrant Officer.An Adjutant...
to Tarnue and current Senior Senator from Bomi CountyBomi CountyBomi is a county in the northwestern portion of the West African nation of Liberia. One of 15 counties that comprise the first-level of administrative division in the nation, it has four districts. Tubmanburg serves as the capital with the area of the county measuring . As of the 2008 Census, it...