The first Liberian Civil war took place from 1989 to 1997. During the early years of the war, the President of Liberia was Samuel K. Doe. However, Samuel K. Doe was overthrown and killed in 1990, leading to a power vacuum and further escalation of the conflict. Therefore, it can be said that Samuel K. Doe was the president of Liberia during the initial phase of the first Liberian Civil War.