By Amos Harris
In a profound act of national remembrance and reflection, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai on Monday led a high-level delegation to sign a book of condolences, honoring the late President William R. Tolbert Jr., Liberia’s 20th President, who was assassinated during the 1980 military coup.
The solemn ceremony, held at the historic Centennial Memorial Pavilion on Ashmun Street in Monrovia, served as a poignant public recognition for President Tolbert and the thirteen senior government officials summarily executed on April 22, 1980. These executions followed the coup d’état that ushered in military rule under Master Sergeant Samuel K. Doe and the People’s Redemption Council.
Organized by the April 22nd Memorial Group, the event drew a significant gathering, including Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung, Senate Pro Tempore Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, Speaker of the House Richard Koon, and a cross-section of senators and representatives from the 55th National Legislature. Also present were members of the diplomatic corps, descendants and relatives of the fallen officials, and prominent political, religious, and civil society leaders.
The signing of the book of condolences symbolized a unified gesture of national mourning and a commitment to healing historical wounds that have lingered for over four decades. Senate Pro Tempore Karnga-Lawrence led a delegation of senators in paying homage, reaffirming the Legislature’s dedication to preserving the legacy of past leaders and ensuring Liberia confronts its difficult past with honesty and integrity. Speaker Richard Koon, alongside fellow lawmakers, also added his signature, marking a moment of bipartisan unity in acknowledging the significance of the April 22 executions in Liberia’s modern history.
The Centennial Pavilion ceremony sets the tone for a larger and more comprehensive national event scheduled for July 1, 2025: the official unveiling and dedication of the April 22nd Remembrance Park. This significant park will be located at the Liberia Baptist Theological Seminary in Paynesville, a site chosen for its spiritual, national, and historical resonance.
The remembrance park will stand as Liberia’s first official memorial dedicated to President Tolbert and the other senior officials killed without trial. It is envisioned as a national site of mourning, education, and reflection, symbolizing the country’s journey toward justice, reconciliation, and peace. The park will feature symbolic grave markers, educational installations, and a central monument bearing the names of those who were executed.
Among those being formally honored alongside President Tolbert are:
- Dr. Cyril A. Bright, Minister of Agriculture
- Joseph J.F. Chesson Sr., Minister of Justice and Attorney General
- C. Cecil Dennis Jr., Minister of Foreign Affairs
- Richard A. Henries Sr., Speaker, House of Representatives
- Charles D.B. King, Representative, Nimba County
- David Franklin Neal Sr., Minister of Planning and Economic Affairs
- P. Clarence Parker III, Chairman, National Investment Commission
- James T. Phillips Jr., Minister of Finance
- James A.A. Pierre, Chief Justice, Supreme Court of Liberia
- John W.F. Sherman, Minister of Commerce, Industry & Transportation
- Frank J. Stewart Sr., Director of the National Budget
- Frank E. Tolbert Sr., President Pro Tempore of the Senate
- E. Reginald Townsend Sr., National Chairman, True Whig Party
Additional tributes will also honor members of President Tolbert’s security and political apparatus, including Major General Emmett W. Cooper, H. Carey Thomas, A. Benedict Tolbert, Brigadier General Charles E. Railey Jr., Varney E. Dempster Sr., Colonel Spurgeon C. Capehart, Major Gabriel E. Moore, and Lieutenant Anthony “Railroad” Vesseley.
According to the April 22nd Memorial Group, the July 1 event is more than a dedication—it is a call to national reckoning. A spokesperson for the group stated, “For too long, the brutal events of April 22, 1980, and the lives lost have remained under-recognized in our national history. This memorial is not only for the families of the slain officials. It is for Liberia. It is a call to reflect with truth, unite with purpose, and build a future grounded in justice and peace.”
The group emphasized that the executions, carried out without trial, legal representation, or appeal, symbolize a dark chapter in Liberia’s democratic and legal development. They called for the event to mark the beginning of national healing and a renewed commitment to never repeat the mistakes of the past.
President Boakai’s presence at the ceremony underscored his administration’s commitment to reconciliation, transitional justice, and national unity. Since assuming office, President Boakai has frequently spoken about confronting Liberia’s painful historical episodes to foster a new era of accountability and collective responsibility.
Sources within the Executive Mansion confirmed that the government is providing logistical and moral support to the Memorial Group and will have senior representatives at the July 1 dedication. Many historians and civil society voices interpret President Boakai’s gesture as a long-awaited step toward official recognition of the April 22 tragedy and its profound impact on the nation’s democratic journey.
Historians, descendants, and civic leaders present at the event hailed the initiative as a powerful step toward truth-telling and national introspection. “This is not just about remembering President Tolbert and the 13,” said one historian who attended the event. “It’s about restoring national memory, acknowledging the value of human life, and reaffirming the principles of justice and rule of law.”
Organizers of the July 1 event have called on families, clergy, students, youth groups, traditional leaders, and the public to attend the dedication of the Remembrance Park. “This is a message of peace, not division,” a family representative stated. “We are reclaiming our history to ensure that future generations never forget what unchecked political violence can do to a nation.”
In a final statement, the April 22nd Memorial Group declared, “We are a coalition of descendants, advocates and ordinary Liberians committed to preserving legacy, promoting national healing, and building a peaceful future. This park is our collective testimony that Liberia remembers.”
As the nation moves toward this historic unveiling, Liberia stands at a reflective crossroads, offering the opportunity to reconcile with the past, reaffirm the rule of law, and unite in remembrance and hope.
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