By: MATTHEW SIEH WISSEH, ENVIRONMENTALIST IN TRAINING
IPNEWS: It has been 44 years now since the death of Former President of the Republic of Liberia Rev. Dr. Williams Richard Tolbert and Eleven other was kill in cool blood by Samuel Kayan Doe in the quest of taking State power.
On April 12,1980 this day always reminds Liberian especially Family members of those government officials that were killed about the barbaric murder on April 12, 1980, of Liberia’s most progress President, the late Rev. Dr. William Richard Tolbert, Jr.
Dr. Williams Richard Tolbert Liberia’s 19th President was killed in cold blood in his apartment at the Executive Mansion and his government overthrown for “rampant corruption, misuse of public offices.
The early morning seals, the nocturnal military activities a few hours earlier, Liberians on the morning of April 12, 1980, suddenly found themselves catapulted into a different sociopolitical era from the one they had hitherto known.
The April 12, 1980 coup was undoubtedly highly popular. For most Liberians at the time, it was a necessary change of the guard, and a much-needed opportunity to right the wrongs of the past.
Early Friday morning on April 12,2024 the son of the late Liberian leader, Richard V. Tolbert along with his Children,grand Children and family members of those that was killed on the faithful Saturday morning on April 12 show up at the Palm grove grave years to pay homage to their love ones who were killed.
Reading a special statement at the grave site Dr.Tolber it’s safe day 44 years ago , a great evil was perpetrated not only against the Tolbert family but also the destiny and people of Liberia.
According to him for those who have not yet come to recognize the great harm that was done , ” I can only say ” I leave your own with God “.
He said as painful as this day was and still is to many of them ,every minute as fresh in their memories as if it was just yesterday, ” we say we bear no grudge in our hearts against our enemies past or present,but instead pray to the almighty with all sincerity for the uplifting of his judgement, if there be any against the perpetrators of those wicked deeds and this Nation.
Dr.Tolbert told Journalists at the Palm grove grave site that for surely ,who cannot see except those who wish not to see that there has been a dark cloud in fact on April 22,1980 it was literally a very dark cloud over this land since April 12,1980 when President Tolbert was assassinated.
“Since April 12,1980 when 13 government officials were executed in cold blood on PHP south beach, and since April 12,1975 when Finance Minister Steve Tolbert mysteriously died in a plane crash , and since sometimes In1980 when A.Benedict Tolbert and Former Police Director Varney Dempster were taken out of prison cell at night and murdered their bodies never to be found.
He further that as family they beg God forgiveness for these and all the sins and the sins of those who orchestrated those evil acts, may the soul of President Tolbert and all those killed with him during the coup of April 12,1980 and the 13 men killed on April 12 ,1980 ,A.B Tolbert and Varney Dempster as well as the hundreds of thousands who died in the subsequent years of our senseless ‘uncivil war” find true repose and rest in perpetual peace and light.
Meanwhile Dr. Tolber has announced April 22,2023 as day of Recognizing those that were killed on April 12,1980 at the Grave site for the Many Contributions to the State while they were living. By Taisiah Merfee
SEE PICTORIAL AT FORMER PRESIDENT WILLIAM R. TOLBERT’S GRAVE ON APRIL 12, 2024
