Paynesville, Liberia – President Joseph Nyumah Boakai has met with family members of the late President William R. Tolbert, Jr. as part of ongoing consultations surrounding the reburial of the former Liberian leader. The meeting took place on Sunday at the Tolbert residence in Paynesville, following President Boakai’s recent visit to Grand Gedeh for the reburial ceremony of former President Samuel K. Doe.
According to a statement from the Executive Mansion, the meeting is part of President Boakai’s broader national reconciliation initiative aimed at acknowledging the country’s complex past and healing longstanding wounds. The effort is in line with his 2025 State of the Nation Address, in which he pledged to ensure that the remains of past leaders-including Tolbert and Doe-are reinterred with dignity and national honor.
“Today’s meeting underscores our dedication to honoring the memories of our past leaders while also promoting unity among our citizens,” President Boakai said. “Reburial is not just a matter of respect; it is a critical step toward healing our nation and acknowledging the complex history we share.”
Discussions with the Tolbert family reportedly focused on the logistics of the reburial and plans for memorializing the late president, who served Liberia from 1971 until his tragic assassination during the 1980 coup d’état.
The Tolbert family expressed appreciation for the president’s initiative and reaffirmed their willingness to support the national reconciliation process. “We are thankful that President Boakai is taking concrete steps to ensure our father is reburied with the respect and dignity he deserves,” a family representative said.
As Liberia continues its journey toward reconciliation, the planned reburials of Presidents Tolbert and Doe are viewed as pivotal milestones in acknowledging historical injustices and fostering unity.
Further details on the reburial of President Tolbert are expected in the coming weeks as consultations continue between the government, the families involved, and relevant stakeholders.
