Liberia Finally Gives State Funeral to President Killed in Coup After 45 Years
After decades of silence, Liberia honors William Tolbert and his cabinet, marking a step toward healing and national reconciliation
- William Tolbert and 13 cabinet members killed in 1980 coup are honored after 45 years
- State funeral symbolizes Liberia’s effort to reconcile with its violent past
- Families receive national flags; graves left open in hope of finding remains
Liberia’s former President William Tolbert, who was brutally killed in a 1980 coup, has been given a symbolic state funeral 45 years after his death.
Tolbert led the country from 1971 until he was overthrown by a violent uprising led by Sgt. Samuel Doe.
Shortly after Tolbert’s assassination, 13 members of his cabinet were executed following a sham trial, their bodies never recovered. In a historic ceremony attended by current President Joseph Boakai and other officials, all 14 men were finally honored with state funerals—marking a significant step toward national reconciliation.
President Boakai described the event as a crucial moment for Liberia to confront its painful past and recommit to truth, justice, and healing.
The graves remain empty and unsealed, leaving space for the possibility that the remains may one day be found.
The 1980 coup ended the long-standing political dominance of the Americo-Liberian elite, plunging Liberia into decades of instability and civil war.
The reburials of Tolbert and Doe, who was also killed violently, symbolize the country’s ongoing journey toward coming to terms with its history.
Family members of the victims view the funeral as a beginning of closure, emphasizing that true reconciliation is a continuing process. Instead of a traditional 21-gun salute, the families requested 21 trumpets to honor their loved ones.
This poignant event follows years of efforts, including a Truth and Reconciliation Commission established in 2006 and a recent government initiative to set up a special court to address past war crimes.
