Monrovia, Liberia – The state funeral service and reburial for former President Samuel Kanyon Doe and the burial of former First Lady Nancy Bohn Doe have been characterized by President Joseph N. Boakai as more than just a funeral; rather, they represent a potent national moment of introspection, healing, and reconciliation.
In a speech on Friday, June 27, 2025, in Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County, Boakai stated that it is time to make peace with the nation’s past, move past the hurt, and remember with dignity and intention. “A thriving Liberia cannot be constructed on shaky grounds. Unity, facing the past with truth, forgiveness, and a shared commitment to progress are essential to our future,” he urged Liberians.
President Boakai, who was the Managing Director of the Liberia Produce and Marketing Corporation and subsequently the Minister of Agriculture under the late President Doe, shared his own thoughts on the previous Head of State’s vision, leadership, and contributions to the development of the country.
“He was determined. He was misinterpreted at times. However, his dedication to enhancing the quality of life for Liberians never faded,” he said.
The Liberian leader stressed that the event was a pivotal moment in the country’s collaborative endeavor to move past years of strife and create a peaceful, inclusive future, and that it was more than just a symbolic gesture.
“The significance of this reburial extends well beyond Grand Gedeh or the Doe family. It represents a larger endeavor to repair our country and make peace with our history,” he said.
President Boakai used the opportunity to thank the Reburial Committee, which was led by Education Minister Madam Jarso Marley Jallah and included representatives from the Grand Gedeh Caucus, government officials, and community leaders, for organizing the solemn state event.
The President made a pilgrimage-style stopover in Tuzon, the birthplace of the late President Samuel K. Doe, before departing Grand Gedeh in a very significant act. The visit was a tribute to the late president’s heritage and his longstanding ties to the Grand Gedeh County community.
Prominent members of the Doe family, including his nephew Senator Zoe Pennue, his daughter Celue Doe, sisters, and other Doe offspring, as well as locals and traditional leaders, welcomed the president’s visit to Tuzon. They praised the occasion as a long-overdue acknowledgement of their son’s legacy.
Making remarks, Ms. Cellular Doe, one of the late President’s daughters, pointed out that long before President Boakai’s visit her inquiry has 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.
