Africa-Press – Liberia. The signing ceremony, held at LBTS, comes after years of dedicated negotiations, representing a crucial milestone in the effort to honor the memory of those killed in the wake of the 1980 coup.
A groundbreaking moment of reconciliation and national healing, kick-off Tuesday, February 25, when the Liberia Baptist Theological Seminary (LBTS) and the April 22 Memorial Group signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) officially dedicating land on the Seminary’s campus as a burial site for late President Rev. Dr. William R. Tolbert, Jr. and the thirteen officials of his government were executed in 1980.
The signing ceremony, held at LBTS, comes after years of dedicated negotiations, representing a crucial milestone in the effort to honor the memory of those killed in the wake of the 1980 coup.
President Tolbert, who founded the Seminary, and his government officials were executed in a brutal act of political violence that shocked the nation.
The MOU, which formalizes the commitment between the Liberia Baptist Theological Seminary and the April 22 Memorial Group, serves as a symbol of the collective desire for peace, closure, and a renewed sense of unity in Liberia.
In his address, at the program marking the signing ceremony, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Liberia Baptist Theological Seminary, Deacon Amb. Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Sr., reflected on the significance of the agreement, noting that it is commitment to healing and reconciliation after forty-five years of grief.
“Today’s signing is not just about a burial site, it is about a commitment to healing and reconciliation after forty-five years of grief and suffering for the families of those lost,” Kemayah stated.
Kemayan, paying tribute to the victims and their families members who were at the signing ceremony, noted that the initiative represents a long-overdue acknowledgement of their pain.
“Your strength and resilience in such profound grief inspire us all. It is our hope that today brings a measure of closure to your enduring sorrow,” he said.
Among those present at the ceremony were family members of the victims, including descendants of President Tolbert and the executed officials.
As a mark of respect, Kemayah invited the families to stand in honor of their loved ones, who suffered unimaginable loss.
The April 22 Memorial Group, representing the families of the victims, expressed their deep appreciation for the partnership with LBTS.
Former Liberia Revenue Authority Director General Alfreda Tamba, speaking on behalf of the Memorial Group, declared that the signing marked the realization of a 45-year-long struggle for justice and remembrance.
The signing ceremony, held at LBTS, comes after years of dedicated negotiations, representing a crucial milestone in the effort to honor the memory of those killed in the wake of the 1980 coup.
“This is a historic milestone in our journey, and we give thanks for the unwavering support from the Liberia Baptist Theological Seminary and its leadership,” Tamba stated.
Madam Tamba also acknowledged key figures who had assisted in efforts and who played a vital role in securing the eight poles that marked the site of the executions.
“We thank them for their cooperation in this process,” Tamba said.
Currently, there is ongoing work at the new site, expected to be completed before the pending memorial service, on July 1.
For her part, Madam Mai Bright Urey, a prominent member of the Memorial Group, further explained that the new burial site would serve not only as a final resting place but also as a memorial and research center to educate future generations about this dark chapter in Liberia’s history.
“This site will ensure that the memory of those who were brutally killed will live on,” Urey said.
The reburial of the victims is scheduled for July 1, 2025, at the newly dedicated site. Urey emphasized that this project was a step toward national reconciliation, with the hope that it would foster healing for the families and the nation as a whole.
The ceremony concluded with a tour of the site, where construction of the memorial and burial grounds is already underway.
As Liberia continues to confront its painful past, this act of remembrance serves as a powerful reminder of the need for ongoing dialogue, respect, and commitment to healing for all Liberians.
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