Family concerns mount over lackluster posture by the State in the burial of former Liberian First Lady, Nancy B. Doe.
By Stephen G. Fellajuah
Monrovia, Liberia; June 4, 2025 – The Government of Liberia appears to be silent on plans for the burial of former First Lady Nancy B. Doe, who passed away on May 21, 2025, at her residence in Sinkor, Monrovia, following a prolonged illness.
Family sources say they formally notified the Office of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai in a letter dated May 23, 2025, informing the Executive Mansion that the late Madam Doe is scheduled to be laid to rest on June 28, 2025. However, 11 days later, the family has yet to receive an official response, sparking concern among relatives.
Immediate family members are now planning media engagements, including radio appearances, to raise public awareness about the government’s silence.
Leading the charge is Veronica Mamie Doe, daughter of the late President Samuel K. Doe and Madam Nancy B. Doe, who is expected to speak out on behalf of the family.
Until now, government is yet to make any official statement regarding the burial of the former First Lady, which is raising anxiety among family members.
According to them, government should have responded by now, and funeral arrangements should be underway, but delays have drawn their attention.
Though Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung reportedly met with the family and contributed US$2,000 towards funeral arrangements, many within the family and the public see the gesture as inadequate, considering the former First Lady’s national stature.
The late Nancy B. Doe served as Liberia’s First Lady from 1980 to 1990 during the presidency of her late husband, Samuel K. Doe, who came to power through a military coup. Throughout her tenure, she was recognized for her charitable work and advocacy for women’s and children’s welfare.
Following the assassination of President Doe in 1990 by rebels of the INPFL led by Senator Prince Y. Johnson, Madam Doe and her children fled Liberia and lived in exile. Despite personal tragedy, she remained vocal on issues relating to her late husband, including calls for proper recognition and benefits due him as a former head of state. Editing by Jonathan Browne
