Grand Gedeh County

Grand Gedeh County, located in southeastern Liberia, is known for its rich cultural heritage, dense forests, and historical significance in Liberia’s political and military history. The county shares borders with Nimba, Sinoe, and River Gee Counties, as well as Côte d'Ivoire.

Early History and Indigenous Inhabitants

Grand Gedeh has long been inhabited by the Krahn ethnic group, who are known for their warrior traditions and resistance to external influence.
The Krahn people engaged in farming, hunting, and ironworking, with a strong emphasis on communal leadership and traditional governance.
Before the establishment of modern Liberia, the region had trade and cultural exchanges with neighboring ethnic groups in Côte d'Ivoire and other parts of Liberia.

Colonial and Early Republic Era (19th - Early 20th Century)

During Liberia’s expansion in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Americo-Liberian government attempted to extend control over the region.
The Krahn people resisted central government authority for many years, maintaining their traditional autonomy.
Missionary activities in the early 1900s introduced Christianity and Western education, but indigenous customs remained strong.

Formation of Grand Gedeh County (1964)

Before 1964, the area was part of Eastern Province.
Under President William V.S. Tubman’s administration, Grand Gedeh was officially declared a county in 1964 as part of Liberia’s national reorganization.
The county’s capital, Zwedru, became its administrative and economic center.

Political Influence and Civil War (1980 - 2003)

Grand Gedeh gained national prominence with the rise of Samuel K. Doe, a Krahn military officer who led a coup in 1980, overthrowing President William R. Tolbert.
Under Doe’s rule (1980-1990), the Krahn ethnic group gained significant influence in the military and government.
Tensions between the Krahn and other ethnic groups, especially the Gio and Mano of Nimba County, escalated.
In 1989, Charles Taylor launched his rebellion from Nimba County, leading to Liberia’s first civil war.
Grand Gedeh became a battleground, with many Krahn people fleeing to Côte d'Ivoire to escape persecution after Doe’s assassination in 1990.
The Second Liberian Civil War (1999-2003) also heavily affected Grand Gedeh, as different rebel factions fought for control.

Post-War Reconstruction and Present-Day Grand Gedeh

Since the end of the civil war in 2003, Grand Gedeh has been recovering through agriculture, trade, and forestry.
Many refugees returned from Côte d'Ivoire, rebuilding their communities.
The county remains a stronghold of Krahn political and cultural identity.
Cross-border trade with Côte d'Ivoire has helped boost the local economy.