Rédaction Africa Links 24 with New Dawn
Published on 2024-04-15 02:01:00
It has been over four decades since the assassination of then-Liberian President Tolbert and some of his officials on 12 April 1980, for corruption and misuse of public offices. Dr. Richard V. Tolbert, the son of the slain president, expressed how his father’s assassination continues to cast a dark cloud over Liberia’s growth and progress.
On April 15, 2024, Dr. Tolbert spoke at the Palm Grove cemetery, marking the 44th anniversary of the tragic event. He highlighted the lasting impact of his father’s assassination on the nation’s trajectory, emphasizing that the dark cloud still hinders Liberia’s development.
The families of Tolbert and the other officials who lost their lives in the 1980 coup gathered on April 12, 2024, to honor their deceased loved ones. The brutal assassination of President Tolbert, along with accusations of widespread corruption and misuse of public offices, led to the overthrow of his government and the rise of Master Sergeant Samuel Kanyon Doe of the Armed Forces of Liberia.
However, Doe’s rule would eventually come to a violent end in 1990, when he was murdered by rebel fighters opposed to his leadership, plunging Liberia into further turmoil. Dr. Tolbert recalled the dark cloud that loomed over the nation since his father’s assassination, underscoring the ongoing trauma experienced by the families of the deceased officials.
While some viewed the 1980 coup as a necessary change and an opportunity to address past wrongs, for many Liberians, especially the families of the victims, it remains a painful reminder of a barbaric act. Dr. Tolbert conveyed a special message at the grave site, reflecting on the 44 years that had passed since the tragic event and expressing forgiveness towards their enemies while seeking justice through divine intervention.
He prayed for the souls of President Tolbert and the others who perished in the coup to find eternal peace and rest. Dr. Tolbert also mentioned the mysterious death of Finance Minister Steve Tolbert in 1975 and the murder of A. Benedict Tolbert and former Police Director Varney Dempster in 1980, whose bodies were never recovered.
As the families continue to mourn the loss of their loved ones, Dr. Tolbert emphasized the importance of forgiveness and divine justice. The legacy of President Tolbert and the other fallen officials serves as a poignant reminder of the dark chapter in Liberia’s history, urging the nation to reflect on the past and strive for a brighter future.
Read the original article on The Newdawn Liberia
