{{Short description|Liberian politician and warlord (1961–2020)}} {{more citations needed|date=April 2026}} {{use mdy dates|date=October 2022}}
{{Infobox person | name = George Dweh | birth_date = {{Birth date|1961|03|06|mf=y}} | death_date = {{Death date and age|2020|04|04|1961|03|06|mf=y}} | occupation = Politician; warlord | known_for = Speaker of the National Transitional Legislative Assembly of Liberia (2003–2005) | children = 6 | relatives = Samuel K. Doe (cousin) }}
'''George Dweh''' (March 6, 1961{{snds}}April 4, 2020) was a Liberian politician and factional leader during the First Liberian Civil War and Second Liberian Civil War. He was a member of the Krahn ethnic group and a cousin of former president Samuel K. Doe.<ref>{{cite web |last=Sendolo |first=Joaquin M. |url=https://www.liberianobserver.com/news/george-dweh-notorious-civil-war-actor-is-dead/ |title=George Dweh, Notorious Civil War Actor, Is Dead |publisher=Liberian Observer |date=April 6, 2020}}</ref>
During Liberia’s civil conflicts, Dweh was associated with armed factions including the Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy (LURD) and later the Movement for Democracy in Liberia (MODEL). Reports and advocacy organizations have accused him of involvement in wartime abuses, though he was not formally convicted.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.liberiapastandpresent.org/war-crimes/georg-dweh/ |title=George Dweh |publisher=Liberia Past and Present}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/eoir/legacy/2013/06/11/LBR35430.pdf |title=U.S. Department of Justice Immigration Review Case File |publisher=U.S. Department of Justice}}</ref>
Following the resignation of President Charles Taylor in 2003, Dweh was elected Speaker of the National Transitional Legislative Assembly of Liberia (NTLA), the legislative body created under the Accra Comprehensive Peace Agreement to guide Liberia’s transition to democratic rule.<ref name=NTLA>{{cite web |url=https://allafrica.com/stories/200503141708.html |title=Liberia: House Speaker, Three Others Suspended At NTLA |publisher=AllAfrica |date=March 14, 2005}}</ref>
His tenure was marked by controversy. In March 2005, he was suspended by fellow legislators along with other officials over allegations of unauthorized spending and financial mismanagement.<ref name=NTLA/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?reportid=53466 |title=LIBERIA: Appeals for calm amid parliament corruption row |publisher=IRIN |date=March 17, 2005}}</ref> The suspension reflected broader tensions within the transitional government.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/4349827.stm |title=Liberia parliament suspends speaker |publisher=BBC News}}</ref>
Dweh later appeared before Liberia’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), where issues relating to his wartime role were examined as part of national accountability efforts.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://trcliberia.cc.gatech.edu/press_releases/64.html |title=TRC Press Release |publisher=Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Liberia}}</ref>
In 2016, Dweh became the subject of renewed controversy after reports emerged that he had sent communications to officials in Taiwan proposing the establishment of bilateral trade relations with Liberia. The Liberian government publicly distanced itself from the initiative, reaffirming its adherence to the “One China Policy” and stating that Dweh had no authority to represent the state.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://frontpageafricaonline.com/news/2016news/liberia-condemns-george-dweh-s-proposal-of-bilateral-ties-with-taiwan/ |title=Liberia Condemns George Dweh’s Proposal of Bilateral Ties With Taiwan |publisher=FrontPage Africa}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://allafrica.com/stories/201611240481.html |title=Liberia: GOL Shuns Ex-Speaker Dweh's Scam |publisher=AllAfrica}}</ref> Dweh denied the allegations, claiming he had not written the communications attributed to him.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thenewdawnliberia.com/george-dweh-denies-writing-letter-to-taiwan/ |title=George Dweh denies writing letter to Taiwan |publisher=The New Dawn}}</ref>
He died on April 4, 2020.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://allafrica.com/stories/202004060756.html |title=Liberia: Former House Speaker George Dweh Dies |publisher=AllAfrica |date=April 6, 2020}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dweh, George}} Category:1961 births Category:2020 deaths Category:Members of the National Transitional Legislative Assembly of Liberia Category:Krahn people Category:21st-century Liberian politicians
{{Liberia-politician-stub}}