Page 25 - Liberia Exhibit Magazine Issue1
P. 25
Feature
based around the main entrance of the hotel
compound.
The Hotel Africa project also provided jobs
for some 125 persons, including residents of the
area before it collapsed.
According to 67-year old James Stutterfield,
the hotel was lastly managed by Dutch business
tycoon, Gus Kogvehogen before LURD rebels
forced Taylor to resign. Both Gus and Taylor fled
into exile but were arrested to face prosecution
in the same country, The Netherlands.
The beautiful facility also had its own bitter
taste of Liberia’s civil unrest.
On August 5, 1990, Mr. Stutterfield said sol-
diers of the Independent National Patriotic Front
of Liberia (INPFL) kidnapped five employees
from the Hotel: the British Manager Michael
Doe, two Lebanese nationals and two Liberi-
ans. The armed men later murdered Mr. Doe,
throwing him off the 4th floor balcony on the
same day.
The day before, 48 other foreign nationals
were arrested by the INPFL. The Hotel was a
refuge point for expatriates who were in search
of secure place because the management at
the time would promise security and discounted
services for the rooms but the fun was short-
lived when Prince Johnson’s men arrive.
WWW.JOS-TRAVEL.COM 25
based around the main entrance of the hotel
compound.
The Hotel Africa project also provided jobs
for some 125 persons, including residents of the
area before it collapsed.
According to 67-year old James Stutterfield,
the hotel was lastly managed by Dutch business
tycoon, Gus Kogvehogen before LURD rebels
forced Taylor to resign. Both Gus and Taylor fled
into exile but were arrested to face prosecution
in the same country, The Netherlands.
The beautiful facility also had its own bitter
taste of Liberia’s civil unrest.
On August 5, 1990, Mr. Stutterfield said sol-
diers of the Independent National Patriotic Front
of Liberia (INPFL) kidnapped five employees
from the Hotel: the British Manager Michael
Doe, two Lebanese nationals and two Liberi-
ans. The armed men later murdered Mr. Doe,
throwing him off the 4th floor balcony on the
same day.
The day before, 48 other foreign nationals
were arrested by the INPFL. The Hotel was a
refuge point for expatriates who were in search
of secure place because the management at
the time would promise security and discounted
services for the rooms but the fun was short-
lived when Prince Johnson’s men arrive.
WWW.JOS-TRAVEL.COM 25
