During the memorial service of late ex-President William R. Tolbert, President Joseph N. Boakai admonished Liberians to reject the forces that divide them as citizens and inspire a renewed sense of patriotism. Speaking on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at the Centennial Pavilion on Ashmun Street in Monrovia, Boakai said that Liberians should choose peace over vengeance, unity over discord, and progress over stagnation.
According to him, citizens must opt to build a Liberia where the legacy of former and present leaders is honored with truth, respect, and accountability. President Boakai: “May this solemn occasion be a reminder that history must not be forgotten, and that reconciliation must be pursued not out of convenience but out of conviction.”
The Liberian leader urged older folks to teach the younger generation about the life and leadership of President Tolbert, not only as a former head of state, but as a symbol of faith, hope, and dignity in public service. He revealed the values and steadfastness of former President Tolbert’s pursuit of a more equitable Liberia, stating that his policies sought to bridge divides, uplift the poor, and expand opportunity.
Boakai told the gathering that the former President’s vision for national development was anchored in the belief that Liberia could only thrive when justice and inclusion became the pillars of our democracy, adding that the memorial, decades after former Tolbert’s tragic death, is not simply a ceremonial gesture but an act of national conscience.
“It is a moment to restore dignity, to acknowledge historical wrongs, and to reaffirm our collective commitment to truth, justice, and reconciliation,” he added. He stated that Liberians cannot reflect on the ex-president without acknowledging the long arc of pain that has shaped the nation’s journey.
“From the founding of Liberia and the unhealed tensions of the past to the violent change of governments, and the tragic loss of nearly two hundred fifty thousand lives during our brutal civil conflict, Liberia has borne the wounds of history,” Boakai said.
Also, the Liberian President extended the deepest sympathy of a grateful nation to the Tolbert family, noting that the ex-president served with distinction, was irreproachable, and magnanimous. President Boakai urged the family to continue honoring Tolbert’s memory, not only through mourning but through purposeful contribution to national unity and healing.
