Liberia Finally Honors Slain President & Ministers – 45 Years After Brutal Coup
(Source: BBC)
Liberia will hold a symbolic state funeral today for President William Tolbert and 13 cabinet members – 45 years after they were murdered in a military coup. According to the BBC, their bodies were never found, but this ceremony aims to bring closure.
What Happened in 1980?
- Soldiers led by Samuel Doe overthrew the government
- President Tolbert was killed in his palace
- 13 ministers were executed on a Monrovia beach
- No bodies were ever recovered
Why This Matters Now
✔ National healing: Current President Boakai calls this “a time to reconcile with our history”
✔ Families get justice: “The pain is still fresh after 45 years,” one daughter told the BBC
✔ Symbolic gestures: Each family will receive a Liberian flag and a 21-gun salute
BBC reports this comes just days after coup leader Samuel Doe (who was also violently killed in 1990) received his own reburial. Experts say these events help Liberia confront its violent past.
The Bigger Picture
Liberia suffered two civil wars after this coup. While a Truth Commission named war criminals in 2009, none have been tried locally. President Boakai now wants to create a special court.
As one victim’s daughter told the BBC: “This isn’t about forgetting – it’s about healing.”
(Source: BBC)
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckg6d7e6751o