Charles Brumskine
Encyclopedia
Charles Walker Brumskine (born 27 April 1951) is a Liberia
n politician and attorney. He is the Political Leader of the Liberty Party
and came third in the 2005 presidential election. He is considered the most popular opposition politician in Liberia, and is challenging Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf
for the Presidency in 2011.
Political analysts in Liberia believe that the merger of Bassa County's Charles Brumskine and Bong County's Franklin Siakor will pose trouble for Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf
's re-election bid.
Political analysts also argue that Brumskine's pairing with Siakor delivered a fatal blow to other opposition political parties that may enter the race for President, as the race will like come down to Brumskine and Johnson-Sirleaf.
where he earned a bachelor's degree in economics in 1973. Brumskine then attended the school's Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law
where he was awarded a Bachelors of Laws degree in 1981 and passed the Liberian bar
. He earned a Masters of Laws degree from the Dedman School of Law
at Southern Methodist University
in Dallas, Texas
the following year.
. By 1999, however, they began feuding, and Brumskine fled the country after being threatened by Taylor's supporters. He returned to Liberia in 2003 with plans to run in the scheduled 2003 presidential election. However, Taylor's resignation that year and the installment of a two-year transitional government led to the elections being cancelled.
In 2004, Brumskine began campaigning for the 2005 presidential elections
in Liberia, as a member of the Liberty Party
. Like most of the other candidates, he promised to bring reconciliation to the country following its political turmoil, and improve the economy and infrastructure. What made him unique was the strong religious message in his campaign. Ultimately, he received nearly 14% of the vote, 6% less than the second-place candidate, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, and therefore he was not able to participate in the runoff. Due to his popularity in the first round, he could have significantly influenced the run-off had he endorsed either candidate. He decided not to endorse Sirleaf or her opponent, George Weah
, in the runoff.
In 2010, he announced his plans to challenge Sirleaf in the 2011 presidential election
.
Sponsored legislation, which increased the number of small-scale businesses, with greater access for Liberian citizens.
Mounted legislative opposition to the sale of land to non-Liberians prior to the enactment of land reform legislation that would grant title deed to Liberians who have lived on public land for generations, without the right of legal ownership and alienation.
Opposed the President’s grant of monopoly rights to certain businesses, and prevented the passage of legislation that would have prevented Liberians from suing financial institutions to recover their pre-war bank deposits.
Established Senate Committees to investigate allegations of President Taylor’s involvement in Sierra Leone’s rebel war.
Establish a non-governmental guarantee fund for microcredit. The fund was established in 1997 as a means of alleviating poverty among indigent traders, mainly women, by creating an access to trade credit from importers, which would have ordinarily been difficult, if not impossible, for them to obtain. Trade credit is extended on the strength of the guarantee to indemnify the importers in the event of default.
Establish the Student Service Corp—a personal initiative that provided college scholarships for students who committed to return to their villages during school holidays to conduct summer schools for less fortunate students. The scholarship program was intended to accomplish three objectives: provide financial assistance for deserving students, create a sense of civic awareness among young Liberians, and facilitate the unification of Liberians.
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 politician and attorney. He is the Political Leader of the Liberty Party
Liberty Party (Liberia)
The Liberty Party is a political party in Liberia. It fielded candidates in the 11 October 2005 elections.LP candidate Charles Brumskine placed third in the presidential poll, winning 13.9% of the vote...
and came third in the 2005 presidential election. He is considered the most popular opposition politician in Liberia, and is challenging Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf
Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is the 24th and current President of Liberia. She served as Minister of Finance under President William Tolbert from 1979 until the 1980 coup d'état, after which she left Liberia and held senior positions at various financial institutions. She placed a very distant second in...
for the Presidency in 2011.
Liberia's 2011 Presidential Elections
On January 20, 2011 Cllr. Charles Brumskine announced that Bong County Senator Franklin Obed Siakor would be his running mate in the 2011 presidential election.Political analysts in Liberia believe that the merger of Bassa County's Charles Brumskine and Bong County's Franklin Siakor will pose trouble for Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf
Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is the 24th and current President of Liberia. She served as Minister of Finance under President William Tolbert from 1979 until the 1980 coup d'état, after which she left Liberia and held senior positions at various financial institutions. She placed a very distant second in...
's re-election bid.
Political analysts also argue that Brumskine's pairing with Siakor delivered a fatal blow to other opposition political parties that may enter the race for President, as the race will like come down to Brumskine and Johnson-Sirleaf.
Early life
He was educated at the University of LiberiaUniversity of Liberia
The University of Liberia is a publicly funded institution of higher learning located in Monrovia, Liberia. Authorized by the national government in 1851, the school opened in 1863 as Liberia College and became a university in 1951. The school is one of the oldest institutions of higher learning...
where he earned a bachelor's degree in economics in 1973. Brumskine then attended the school's Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law
Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law
Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law is the law school of the University of Liberia in Monrovia, Liberia. Founded in 1951, it is named after former Chief Justice of the Liberian Supreme Court, Louis Arthur Grimes. The school offers a three-year program leading to the granting of the Bachelor of Laws...
where he was awarded a Bachelors of Laws degree in 1981 and passed the Liberian bar
Bar (law)
Bar in a legal context has three possible meanings: the division of a courtroom between its working and public areas; the process of qualifying to practice law; and the legal profession.-Courtroom division:...
. He earned a Masters of Laws degree from the Dedman School of Law
Dedman School of Law
The Southern Methodist University School of Law, commonly referred to as SMU Law School or Dedman School of Law is a prominent professional graduate law school located in Dallas, Texas. Founded in February 1925, the school remains the only law school in Dallas...
at Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University is a private university in Dallas, Texas, United States. Founded in 1911 by the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, SMU operates campuses in Dallas, Plano, and Taos, New Mexico. SMU is owned by the South Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church...
in Dallas, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
the following year.
Political career
Brumskine became politically prominent in the 1990s as an ally of Charles Taylor. When Taylor became President in 1997, Brumskine became President Pro Temp of the SenateSenate of Liberia
The Senate of Liberia is the upper house of the bicameral legislative branch of Liberia, and together with the House of Representatives comprises the Legislature of Liberia...
. By 1999, however, they began feuding, and Brumskine fled the country after being threatened by Taylor's supporters. He returned to Liberia in 2003 with plans to run in the scheduled 2003 presidential election. However, Taylor's resignation that year and the installment of a two-year transitional government led to the elections being cancelled.
In 2004, Brumskine began campaigning for the 2005 presidential elections
Liberian elections, 2005
The 2005 Liberian general election was held on 11 October 2005, with a runoff election for the presidency held on 8 November of that year. The presidency, as well as all seats in the House of Representatives and Senate were up for election. The election marked the end of the political transition...
in Liberia, as a member of the Liberty Party
Liberty Party (Liberia)
The Liberty Party is a political party in Liberia. It fielded candidates in the 11 October 2005 elections.LP candidate Charles Brumskine placed third in the presidential poll, winning 13.9% of the vote...
. Like most of the other candidates, he promised to bring reconciliation to the country following its political turmoil, and improve the economy and infrastructure. What made him unique was the strong religious message in his campaign. Ultimately, he received nearly 14% of the vote, 6% less than the second-place candidate, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, and therefore he was not able to participate in the runoff. Due to his popularity in the first round, he could have significantly influenced the run-off had he endorsed either candidate. He decided not to endorse Sirleaf or her opponent, George Weah
George Weah
George Tawlon Manneh Oppong Ousman Weah is a Liberian humanitarian and politician, and an ex-footballer. He ran unsuccessfully for president in the 2005 election, losing to Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in the second round of voting...
, in the runoff.
In 2010, he announced his plans to challenge Sirleaf in the 2011 presidential election
Liberian general election, 2011
The 2011 Liberian general election was held on 11 October 2011, with a presidential runoff election held on 8 November 2011. The presidency, as well as all seats in the House of Representatives and half of the seats in the Senate, were up for election...
.
Brumskine in The Senate
Some of Senator Brumskine’s accomplishment while serving in the Liberian Senate:Sponsored legislation, which increased the number of small-scale businesses, with greater access for Liberian citizens.
Mounted legislative opposition to the sale of land to non-Liberians prior to the enactment of land reform legislation that would grant title deed to Liberians who have lived on public land for generations, without the right of legal ownership and alienation.
Opposed the President’s grant of monopoly rights to certain businesses, and prevented the passage of legislation that would have prevented Liberians from suing financial institutions to recover their pre-war bank deposits.
Established Senate Committees to investigate allegations of President Taylor’s involvement in Sierra Leone’s rebel war.
Establish a non-governmental guarantee fund for microcredit. The fund was established in 1997 as a means of alleviating poverty among indigent traders, mainly women, by creating an access to trade credit from importers, which would have ordinarily been difficult, if not impossible, for them to obtain. Trade credit is extended on the strength of the guarantee to indemnify the importers in the event of default.
Establish the Student Service Corp—a personal initiative that provided college scholarships for students who committed to return to their villages during school holidays to conduct summer schools for less fortunate students. The scholarship program was intended to accomplish three objectives: provide financial assistance for deserving students, create a sense of civic awareness among young Liberians, and facilitate the unification of Liberians.