A Feature by Titus W. Tokpah, Sr.
In the early hours of 24 December 1989, a rebel group known as the Freedom Fighters of the National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL), led by former President Charles Taylor, crossed from Côte d’Ivoire into Liberia through the Buotuo border on the eastern frontier.
That morning, the quiet little border town of Buotuo was thrown into chaos. The NPFL’s incursion marked the launch of Liberia’s long and bloody civil war — a conflict that would claim an estimated 250,000 lives and destroy millions of dollars’ worth of property. The people of Nimba County fled in all directions, though some of their kinsmen and women joined the NPFL’s ranks.
Why Buotuo?
Buotuo was strategically chosen because it lies far from Monrovia, giving the rebels valuable time to build their strength before confronting government forces. From my reading of Doe’s administration — notorious for its brutality against the people of Nimba — the county had become home to sympathetic ethnic communities willing to aid the NPFL. The Buotuo border also served as a safe supply route for weapons, food, and reinforcements.
A Town Marked by War
The civil war left a deep and infamous scar on Buotuo. Even today, travelers who visit are eager to see this historically significant point of entry for themselves. Standing with a few colleagues by the Cavalla River, which divides Liberia and Côte d’Ivoire, I found myself taking a deep breath — reflecting on the past and pondering the future of this border town.
I see Buotuo as a place with untapped tourism potential. There is a famous line in the most powerful book in the world — the Holy Bible — which asks, “What good can come from Nazareth?” Today, I believe it’s time we raise national awareness for the future of Buotuo. The war has long ended. The Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs, and Tourism (MICAT), should focus on transforming the Buotuo border point into a beautification park, featuring key Liberian artifacts — including those that tell the story of the civil war.
The State of Buotuo Today
Currently, travelers who pass through the Buotuo border often leave with a sense of disappointment. The surroundings are bushy, the connecting road to the Cavalla River is poor, and the river crossing relies on a makeshift ferry tied to an iron pole, with no clear view of the river’s natural beauty.
It is baffling that Liberia continues to ignore such a potentially beautiful tourism site. I urge President Boakai’s government to give this matter serious attention, making it part of the ARREST Agenda — the administration’s development blueprint.
Other nations that have endured civil wars and political uprisings — such as Rwanda and South Africa — have preserved and memorialized key sites that bore the brunt of these struggles. Why can’t Liberia do the same? Why can’t we learn from the positive examples of others?
From Infamy to Legacy
It’s time to make the once-infamous Buotuo famous for the right reasons. Doing so will help shape Liberian cultural memory, offering the children of Buotuo a future where they can play freely — without the fear of waking to the sound of gunfire. ‘Making the Infamous Buotuo Famous’.
About The Author:
Titus W. Tokpah, Sr. is a Liberian journalist, teacher, public sector professional, and public relations expert. He is the author of “Image Building: A Researched PR Guide” and the Founder/Executive Director of MediaAid Foundation, home to the Peter Quaqua School of Journalism (PQSJ).
Currently, Titus serves as Deputy Communications Director at the National Elections Commission of Liberia (NEC). He is also an alumnus of the prestigious International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) in Washington, D.C., and the SARFT Training Center in Beijing, China. In 2024, he was nominated for the Lonestar-MTN MoMo Heroes of Change award.
Titus holds two master’s degrees from Cuttington University Graduate School:
※Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)
※Master of Public Administration (MPA) with High Distinction, specializing in Public Sector Management.
He also holds a:
※Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Management and Economics, with an emphasis in Human Resource Management – University of Liberia
※Associate of Arts in Education, focusing on School Administration, Supervision, and Leadership – LICOSESS Mobile Teacher Training College
In addition to his academic credentials, he has earned several certificates, excellence awards, and honors in journalism, media studies, and other professional disciplines.
Contact:
Email: mediaaidfoundation@gmail.com
Facebook: MediaAid.Foundation@facebook.com
Website: mediaaidfoundation.websites.co
Phone: +231 886-256-258 / 777-487-755
