By Our Reporter
When he was alive, he always carried this imposing smile, but now the typical smiles from Cllr. Charles Walker Brumskine will no longer be seen.
After a period of illness in the United States, the former Standard Bearer and founder of the opposition Liberty Party (LP) was on Wednesday reported dead, triggering a floodgate of sympathy over local radio stations in Liberia and on the Social Media network .
At age 69, the well known career-Lawyer-turned politician unsuccessfully ran for the Liberian presidency three times–2005, 2011 and 2017.
“Rest In Peace to one of Liberia’s finest sons! You will forever be remembered for your service and love for country!” says Telia Urey, the All Liberian Party (ALP) candidate in this year’s Montserrado County District #15 By-election on her Facebook page.
Writing on his Facebook page, Montserrado County Senator (LP) Darius Dillon said: “Oh Lord!! This life!!!! You fought well and played your part. It’s time you took your rest in keeping with God’s will. #RIP Sir!”
There has so far not been any official statement from his party or the family on his passing.
But the local Daily Observer newspaper quotes “family sources and some of Brumskine’s friends, who confirmed news of his death on their respective Facebook pages said he died at home. ”
The new political leader of Liberty Party and Grand Bassa County Senator, Nyonblee Karnga Lawrence is also quoted as saying: “The LP founder, and former political leader has lost his fight to stay alive.” She described the late Brumskine as a “dedicated family man, lawyer and politician, who will be missed by all.”
Other LP supporters and Liberians from various quarters have also expressed sadness over news of the death of Cllr. Brumskine, who has for decades been one of the leading Liberian politicians both in government and opposition.
In the 1990s after former President Charles Taylor won the 1997 elections, Brumskine served as President Pro Tempore of the Liberian Senator, where he challenged a number of policies reaching the Legislature from the Executive Mansion, which he felt were not in the best interest of the Liberian people.
That stance put him out of favour with Taylor and he was forced to flee the country into exile in the US. But despite serious personal risk, he returned home few years later to challenged the status quo, later forming his Liberty Party.