According to Encyclopedia of the Third World, the Liberian People's Party (LPP), is composed of members of the former Movement for Justice in Africa (UMOJA) (1992, 1127). The LPP was reportedly headed by Amos Sawyer in 1984, who was arrested for plotting against Sergeant Samuel's Doe (ibid.).The party was reportedly banned in 1985 (ibid). This information is corroborated by a 1986 Lawyers Committee for Human Rights report on Liberia, which adds that "Dr. Amos Sawyer was a professor at the University and Chairman of the Constitutional Drafting Commission in 1979" (1986, 108).

At a 30 August 1990 conference organized by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Banjul, Gambia, "exiled leaders of Liberia's principal political parties, churches and other influential groups" reportedly elected Dr. Sawyer as president of the Interim Government of National Unity (IGNU) (Europa 1996 1996, 1887).

According to a 14-20 March 1994 article in West Africa, Dr. Amos Sawyer was interim president for three years, after which he was replaced by the five-man Liberian National Transitional Government on 7 March 1994 (463).

Sources available to the DIRB does not indicate when the LPP was unbanned, but a January 1997 Africa News report indicates that the LPP is part of the seven-party alliance that currently runs the country. The other parties include the Liberia Action Party (LAP), the Liberian Unification Party (LUP), the National Democratic Party of Liberia (NDPL), the True Whig Party (TWP), Unity Party and the United People's Democratic Party (UPDP) (ibid.).

For additional information on the LPP, please refer to the attached documents.

Information on the structure of the LPP or on the address of its head office or of any other offices could not be found among the sources currently available to the DIRB.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find attached the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Africa News. January 1997. "Liberia; Statement of the Alliance of Seven Political Parties." (NEXIS)

Encyclopedia of the Third World. 1992. 4th ed. Vol. 2. Edited by George Thomas Kurian. New York: Facts on File.

The Europa World Year Book 1996. 1996. 37 ed. Vol. 2. London: Europa Publications.

Lawyers Committee for Human Rights (LCHR). 1986. Liberia: A Promise Betrayed: A Report on Human Rights. New York: Lawyers Committee for Human Rights.

West Africa [London]. 14-20 March 1994. "Liberia: New Ruling Council Takes Over."

Africa News Durham, NC]. January 1997. "Liberia; Statement of the Alliance of Seven Political Parties." (NEXIS)

Encyclopedia of the Third World. 1992. 4th ed. Vol. 2. Edited by George Thomas Kurian. New York: Facts on File, p. 1127.

Lawyers Committee for Human Rights. 1986. Liberia: A Promise Betrayed: A Report on Human Rights. New York: Lawyers Committee for Human Rights.

West Africa [London]. 14-20 March 1994. "Liberia: New Ruling Council Takes Over," p. 463.

Africa Confidential [London]. Weekly.

Africa Research Bulletin: Political, Social and Cultural Series [London]. Monthly.

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1995. 1996.

Horn of Africa Bulletin [Uppsala]. Bimonthly.

New African [London]. Monthly.

West Africa [London]. Weekly.

On-line search on NEXIS database.

One oral source contacted did not provide information on the requested subject.