Momolu Dukuly

Momolu Dukuly
Dukuly as a delegate of Liberia at the Bandung Conference in 1955
Secretary of State of Liberia
In office
1954–1960
PresidentWilliam V. S. Tubman
Preceded byGabriel Lafayette Dennis
Succeeded byJoseph Rudolph Grimes
Personal details
Born1903 (1903)
Died1980 (aged 76–77)
OccupationDiplomat, politician

Momolu Dukuly (1903–1980) was a Liberian diplomat and politician who served as Secretary of State of Liberia from 1954 to 1960 under President William V. S. Tubman. He was the first indigenous Liberian to hold the position.

Dukuly was of Mandingo descent. In his early life he practiced Islam but later converted to Christianity prior to his appointment as Secretary of State.[1]

Career

Dukuly entered public service during the administration of President William V. S. Tubman. In 1954 he was appointed Secretary of State of Liberia following the death of Gabriel Lafayette Dennis.

His appointment was historically significant because he was among the first indigenous Liberians to hold one of the country's highest cabinet offices during a period when political leadership had long been dominated by Americo-Liberians. The appointment reflected Tubman's efforts to broaden political participation under the government's Unification Policy.[2][3]

During his tenure as Secretary of State, Dukuly represented Liberia at the United Nations and addressed the United Nations General Assembly during its thirteenth session in 1958.[4]

He served as Secretary of State until 1960, when he was succeeded by Joseph Rudolph Grimes.

References

  1. ^ "Religion and Power in Liberia". The Perspective.
  2. ^ Sawyer, Amos (1992). The Emergence of Autocracy in Liberia. ICS Press.
  3. ^ Dunn, Elwood D.; Beyan, Amos J.; Burrowes, Carl Patrick (2001). Historical Dictionary of Liberia. Scarecrow Press.
  4. ^ Official Records of the General Assembly, Thirteenth Session, 760th Plenary Meeting. United Nations. 26 September 1958. pp. 179–189.