In a solemn and historic moment for the country, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. on Friday led the nation in a state funeral service and reburial for former President Samuel Kanyon Doe, and the burial of former First Lady Nancy Bohn Doe.
The ceremony, held at the Zwedru City Hall in Grand Gedeh County, was attended by members of the Doe family, an array of government officials, members of the clergy, traditional leaders, and thousands of citizens from across the country and abroad.
In his address, President Boakai described the occasion as not merely a burial, but a powerful national moment of reflection, healing, and reconciliation.
He further stated that this is a time “to reconcile with our history, to heal from our wounds, and to remember with respect and purpose”.
“We cannot build a prosperous Liberia on broken foundations. Our future depends on unity, on confronting the past through truth, forgiveness, and a shared commitment to progress,” he reminded Liberians.
President Boakai, who served under the late President Doe as Managing Director of the Liberia Produce and Marketing Corporation (LPMC) and later as Minister of Agriculture, offered personal reflections on the former Head of State’s leadership, vision, and contributions to national development.
He noted, “He was determined. He was sometimes misunderstood. But he was always committed to improving the lives of the Liberian people.”
The Liberian Leader emphasized that the ceremony represented more than a symbolic gesture—it was a defining step in the nation’s collective effort to heal from years of conflict and build a peaceful and inclusive future.
“This reburial carries weight far beyond Grand Gedeh or the Doe family: it symbolizes a broader effort to reconcile with our past and to heal our nation,” he declared.
President Boakai also used the occasion to express his profound appreciation to the Reburial Committee, headed by Jarso Marley Jallah, Minister of Education, and comprising government officials, members of the Grand Gedeh Caucus and community leaders, for the successful coordination of the solemn state event.
In a deeply symbolic gesture, prior to leaving Grand Gedeh the President made a pilgrimage-like stopover in Tuzon, the birthplace of the late President Samuel K. Doe. The visit served as a mark of respect to the late President’s roots and his enduring connection to the people of Grand Gedeh County.
The President’s visit to Tuzon was welcomed by some key Doe family members, his Nephew, Senator Zoe Pennue, his daughter, Celue Doe, sisters and other Doe children, community elders, local residents, and traditional leaders, who hailed the moment as a long-awaited recognition of their son’s legacy.
Making remarks, Cellular Doe, one of the late President’s daughters, pointed out that long before President Boakai’s visit her inquiry had established that no President had set foot in Tuzon since the demise of President Doe.
In also honoring the memory of former First Lady Nancy Bohn Doe, President Boakai noted that her unexpected passing, while she was preparing for the reburial ceremony of her husband, had deepened the nation’s sorrow but also amplified the meaning of the moment.
“She stood firmly by President Doe’s side—not as a figure eclipsed, but as a light of her own,” he said, eulogizing, “Her legacy is one of resilience, honor, and steadfast love.”
The President closed his address with a message of unity to all Liberians, especially the youth.
“To our youth, learn from the lessons of our history. Let unity, peace, and service to country be your guiding stars,” cautioning, “Let us build a Liberia where no region is forgotten, no citizen is overlooked, and no past injustice is allowed to define our future.”
The state funeral and reburial are seen as milestones in Liberia’s journey of reconciliation and nation-building. The dignified ceremonies offered not only closure to the Doe family but also a reaffirmation of the country’s commitment to justice, remembrance, and peace.
“Let us reject bitterness. Let us reject division. Let us walk forward with hope, guided by love for our country and faith in our shared destiny,” President Boakai exhorted Liberians.
The Liberian Chief Executive prayed that “the souls of President Samuel Kanyon Doe and Mrs. Nancy B. Doe rest in perfect peace”, beseeching God to “bless us all and save the Republic”.
