LIBERIA HOLDS STATE FUNERAL FOR FORMER PRESIDENT SAMUEL DOE35 YEARS AFTER ASSASSINATION
INTERNATIONAL - Posted on: 30th Jun. 2025 at 8:43PM
Written by Onigbanjo Ifeoluwa
Lagos, Nigeria.
Liberia held a solemn state funeral on Friday for former President Samuel K. Doe, more than three decades after his violent death marked a grim chapter in the country’s troubled history. The ceremony, held in Doe’s hometown of Zwedru in Grand Gedeh County, also served as the final farewell for his widow, Nancy Doe, who passed away in May.
Thousands of Liberians lined the streets of Zwedru to witness the funeral procession, which featured two caskets — one containing the body of Mrs. Doe, and the other symbolically representing the former president, whose remains have never been definitively located since his assassination in 1990. The funeral formed part of the government’s broader initiative aimed at national healing and reconciliation. President Joseph Boakai, who attended the service alongside government officials and community leaders, declared a national period of mourning from Tuesday to Friday. Flags were flown at half-mast in tribute.
“This moment is not just about remembering a leader, but about acknowledging our shared history and the need to move forward together,” President Boakai said in a message posted on the Executive Mansion’s official Facebook page.
Samuel Doe, a former military leader who seized power in a 1980 coup, became Liberia’s 21st president and its first of indigenous descent. His rule, which began with promises of reform, later turned authoritarian and was marred by corruption, human rights abuses, and growing opposition.
His grisly execution in 1990 at the hands of rebel forces loyal to warlord Prince Johnson was filmed and widely circulated, shocking the world and foreshadowing the brutality of Liberia’s 14-year-long civil conflict that claimed around 250,000 lives.
The decision to honor Doe with a state funeral remains controversial, with critics pointing to his repressive regime, while others argue that recognizing all sides of Liberia’s past is essential to reconciliation.
The dual funeral was held at the Doe family’s private estate, where Nancy Doe was laid to rest. A memorial monument now stands nearby in symbolic remembrance of her husband.
Despite the complex legacy of Samuel Doe, Friday’s ceremony offered a moment of reflection on Liberia’s painful journey through war and the ongoing efforts to build a more unified and peaceful nation.
Written by Onigbanjo Ifeoluwa Lagos, Nigeria.
Liberia held a solemn state funeral on Friday for former President Samuel K. Doe, more than three decades after his violent death marked a grim chapter in the country’s troubled history. The ceremony, held in Doe’s hometown of Zwedru in Grand Gedeh County, also served as the final farewell for his widow, Nancy Doe, who passed away in May.
Thousands of Liberians lined the streets of Zwedru to witness the funeral procession, which featured two caskets — one containing the body of Mrs. Doe, and the other symbolically representing the former president, whose remains have never been definitively located since his assassination in 1990. The funeral formed part of the government’s broader initiative aimed at national healing and reconciliation. President Joseph Boakai, who attended the service alongside government officials and community leaders, declared a national period of mourning from Tuesday to Friday. Flags were flown at half-mast in tribute.
“This moment is not just about remembering a leader, but about acknowledging our shared history and the need to move forward together,” President Boakai said in a message posted on the Executive Mansion’s official Facebook page.
Samuel Doe, a former military leader who seized power in a 1980 coup, became Liberia’s 21st president and its first of indigenous descent. His rule, which began with promises of reform, later turned authoritarian and was marred by corruption, human rights abuses, and growing opposition.
His grisly execution in 1990 at the hands of rebel forces loyal to warlord Prince Johnson was filmed and widely circulated, shocking the world and foreshadowing the brutality of Liberia’s 14-year-long civil conflict that claimed around 250,000 lives.
The decision to honor Doe with a state funeral remains controversial, with critics pointing to his repressive regime, while others argue that recognizing all sides of Liberia’s past is essential to reconciliation.
The dual funeral was held at the Doe family’s private estate, where Nancy Doe was laid to rest. A memorial monument now stands nearby in symbolic remembrance of her husband.
Despite the complex legacy of Samuel Doe, Friday’s ceremony offered a moment of reflection on Liberia’s painful journey through war and the ongoing efforts to build a more unified and peaceful nation.
Posted by: Emdee David
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