President Joseph N. Boakai has committed to dignified burials for former Presidents William R. Tolbert and Samuel K. Doe, alongside 13 officials executed during the 1980 coup. The National Committee for the Reburial oversees this initiative, while challenges remain regarding the whereabouts of Doe’s remains, leading to calls for international assistance in resolving these mysteries.
In a significant historical initiative aimed at promoting peace and unity in post-war Liberia, President Joseph N. Boakai has pledged to ensure the dignified burial of former Presidents William R. Tolbert and Samuel K. Doe, both victims of violent regime changes. Alongside them, 13 officials from the Tolbert administration, executed following the military coup in April 1980, will also receive official burials. These efforts are part of a broader commitment to reconciliation in Liberia.
The newly established National Committee for the Reburial of Presidents Tolbert and Doe is chaired by Education Minister Dr. Jarso Maley Jallah and includes prominent figures such as Bishop James B. Sellee and former Chief Justice Gloria Musu Scott. This committee not only honors the slain leaders but also represents the April 22nd Memorial Group, which has advocated for the dignified burial of those killed during the coup since the end of Liberia’s civil wars.
Following President Boakai’s announcement, the remains of President Tolbert and the 13 other officials were exhumed from a mass grave where they had been buried since the coup. They have subsequently been reinterred at the Liberia Baptist Theological Seminary while awaiting formal reburial ceremonies scheduled for July. President Tolbert, a former pastor, was significantly involved in the religious community prior to his assassination.
While the reburial of Tolbert has progressed smoothly, complications surround the remains of President Doe, whose death remains shrouded in mystery. Captured and killed in September 1990 by the Independent National Patriotic Front of Liberia (INPFL) led by Prince Y. Johnson, the circumstances surrounding Doe’s remains are less clear. Testimony from Johnson suggested that Doe’s body was burned, and his ashes scattered in a river.
Adding complexity to the search for Doe’s remains, insights from a political figure associated with the Interim Government of National Unity have surfaced. During an encounter, Johnson reportedly displayed a skull, claiming it belonged to Samuel Doe. Such revelations have sparked questions regarding the potential location of Doe’s remains, particularly around Johnson’s former base in Caldwell.
Given these unresolved issues, an appeal is made to the National Committee for the Reburial to seek international assistance in locating Doe’s remains. President Boakai’s commitment to accountability in Liberia is evident, having also established the War and Economic Crimes Court to address atrocities from the civil war, including massacres and child soldier recruitment.
Additionally, the President has ordered thorough investigations into mysterious deaths, including those of auditors during the previous administration, which have raised suspicions of foul play. Ensuring justice for these unresolved cases is crucial alongside investigating abuses linked to former President George Weah’s government, whose officials now face scrutiny for alleged economic crimes.
In pursuit of justice and accountability, international expertise is welcomed, as seen with the recent Capitol Building fire investigation. Moreover, there is an urgent need to address any unlawful conduct within the Armed Forces of Liberia to prevent possible escalation of violence.
Gabriel I.H. Williams is a seasoned journalist and author, deeply engaged in Liberia’s socio-political matters.
Contact information for the author was not provided in the article.
In summary, President Joseph N. Boakai’s initiative to honor the memories of former Presidents and their associates is a pivotal step toward healing Liberia’s historical wounds. The efforts to locate Samuel K. Doe’s remains highlight ongoing challenges related to accountability and reconciliation in post-war Liberia. By addressing unresolved cases and fostering international collaboration, the government seeks to ensure justice and stability in the nation.
Original Source: frontpageafricaonline.com
