President Joseph N. Boakai, along with some high-profile government officials, has signed the book of condolence for the late President of Liberia, Samuel Kanyon Doe, at the historic Centennial Memorial Pavilion in Monrovia. President Boakai arrived at the Pavilion mid-morning, accompanied by an official delegation, to pay his respects to the late president, who was assassinated in 1990 during the height of Liberia’s civil conflict.
The somber ceremony was attended by members of the Doe family, government officials, and other sympathizers. Speaking briefly with journalists after the signing ceremony on June 24, 2025, President Boakai described the late President Doe as “a central figure in Liberia’s complex history,” and called for national reflection on the country’s past as a way to strengthen peace and reconciliation.
“Today, we remember a man who, regardless of the controversies of his time, played a significant role in shaping the course of our nation’s political history,” Boakai said. “We honor his memory and express our deepest condolences to his family,” he added.
The signing comes amid renewed efforts by the Boakai administration to promote national unity and reconciliation, nearly 35 years after the tragic chapter that led to Doe’s death. The book of condolence will remain open to the public throughout the week, allowing citizens and dignitaries alike to pay tribute to the late president.
It can be recalled that late President Doe rose to power in a 1980 military coup that ended decades of Americo-Liberian political dominance. He became Liberia’s 21st president and served until 1990, when he was captured and killed during the first Liberian civil war. The Doe family expressed gratitude for Boakai’s gesture, describing it as a step toward healing and national acknowledgment.
