In a solemn and historic ceremony marked by calls for unity, reconciliation, and reflection, the Government of Liberia on Friday held a state funeral and reburial for former President Samuel Kanyon Doe and his wife, former First Lady Nancy Bohn Doe, at the Zwedru City Hall in Grand Gedeh County.
President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., delivering his tribute at the ceremony, described the occasion as “a moment of national reflection,” emphasizing the need for the country to come to terms with its past in order to build a peaceful and united future.
“This is not just a burial; it is a time to reconcile with our history, to heal from our wounds, and to remember with respect and purpose,” President Boakai said. “This dignified reburial reflects our national maturity and our collective will to heal.”
Samuel K. Doe, who served as President of Liberia from 1980 until his tragic death in 1990 during the outbreak of civil conflict, was reinterred in his home county more than three decades after his assassination. His widow, Nancy Bohn Doe ~ who had been preparing for this ceremony ~ passed away shortly before its scheduled date and was laid to rest beside her husband.
President Boakai, who served under Doe’s administration as Managing Director of the Liberia Produce and Marketing Corporation and later as Minister of Agriculture, offered personal reflections on the late president’s leadership and legacy.
“He was determined. He was sometimes misunderstood. But he was always committed to improving the lives of the Liberian people,” Boakai recalled. “Our collaboration was built on mutual respect and a shared vision of national service.”
The President acknowledged the pain and devastation brought on by the civil war that followed Doe’s death but urged Liberians to see this reburial as a chapter turne ~ a symbol of national reconciliation.
“Let today be more than a symbolic gesture,” he declared. “Let it be a mark of our readiness to move forward, to make peace with the past, and to uphold justice, unity, and truth.”
Boakai also paid tribute to the late First Lady, describing her as “the very embodiment of grace, dignity, and quiet strength.”
“In the face of profound loss, she bore her sorrow with remarkable composure and unwavering devotion to her family and to the Liberian people,” the President said. “Her legacy is one of resilience, honor, and steadfast love.”
The ceremony was attended by members of the Doe family, traditional leaders, government officials, and citizens from across Liberia. For the people of Grand Gedeh, the reburial marked a deeply personal moment, while for many across the nation, it was seen as a step forward in confronting Liberia’s complex history.
President Boakai closed his remarks with a message to the nation’s youth and citizens across all counties: “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.”
The remains of President Samuel Kanyon Doe and former First Lady Nancy Bohn Doe now rest side by side in their native Grand Gedeh, closing one of Liberia’s most painful chapters with dignity, reverence, and the promise of healing.
