President William Tolbert assassinated in a military coup headed by Samuel Doe, who becomes the country s president and military chief. Rebel forces from Charles Taylor s National Patriotic Front of Liberia and the Independent Patriotic Front headed by Prince Johnson begin an armed revolt in the north of the country and advance towards the south, where they engage in battle in Monrovia against the forces of President Doe. Doe is killed in September. Charles Taylor declares himself president, as does Harry Moniba, second in command in Doe s defunct government. In spite of this, new armed groups emerge and conflict continues.
Peace talks begin in Geneva.
Despite the signature of a fresh peace accord, the war continues. A total of 150,000 people have been killed and a million displaced since the start of the conflict. Disarmament begins and refugees return. Charles Taylor is elected president by a landslide. As yet unscheduled presidential elections due to take place.