It needs no rocket scientist to establish that there is an entrenched bad blood between former President George Weah and the family of late President Samuel K. Doe, headed by the elder daughter, Veronica Mamie Doe-and this feud is reaching a boiling point–if it isn’t there already.
Criticized for being insensitive to the plight of the Doe family, especially widow Nancy B. Doe who he is accused of treating with indignation, disrespect and neglect prior to her death on May 21, Weah tried to make amends, but it did not turn out good.
The family of the late former First Lady returned a condolence package, which included two cows, 50 bags of rice, and US$5,000 in cash, twice following President Weah’s visit to their Sinkor residence on Sunday.
During a visit to their Sinkor residence on Sunday on June 8, Weah’s gesture of offering words of comfort and expressing sympathy for the passing of Mrs. Doe, but was not well received by some family members, particularly Mamie Veronica Doe, the elder daughter of the deceased who have publicly criticized the former President.
Mamie Doe expressed concerns about the former President’s perceived disrespect and past allegations of neglect and mistreatment towards her mother during his presidency.
The family did not provide a formal statement explaining their decision to decline the items, but Mamie Doe noted in an interview with reporters that the former President was disrespectful in his statement during his visit–making her mother, who complained multiple times of Weah’s neglect and mistreatment of her, to be seen as a liar.
Mamie Doe has previously accused Weah of neglecting her mother during his six-year presidency, alleging that despite her status as a former First Lady, Mrs. Doe received no meaningful support from the Weah administration.
The Double Rejection
The gifts offered by President Weah to the late First Lady’s family were twice rejected, with Ambassador Isaac Nyenabo, who initially accepted the gesture on behalf of the family, issuing an apology for being unaware of the family’s internal decision and grievances towards Mr. Weah.
Mamie Doe confirmed the apology from Ambassador Nyenabo, acknowledging the miscommunication.
“Ambassador Nyenabo has since apologized,” Ms. Doe told reporters on Monday, she added that he admitted that he was unaware of the family’s internal decision and long-standing grievances regarding Mr. Weah.
“The Ambassador said he didn’t know the full situation and the agreement we had made as a family. He has apologized to us,” said Mamie Doe.
The family cites long-standing concerns of neglect and hypocrisy by Mr. Weah, with Mamie Doe highlighting that the gesture after her mother’s passing felt insincere.
“Mr. Weah never showed concern for our mother when she was alive. Now that she’s gone, he wants to make a gesture. We see that as dishonest and ungrateful,” Mamie Doe stated.
The public refusal is the second instance, sparking discussions on social and political dynamics surrounding past national figures and their families.
While there has been no formal response from former President Weah regarding the rejection or the apology from Ambassador Nyenabo, the situation has generated public interest and commentary.
In response to a tribute by Weah, Mamie Doe publicly criticized former President George Weah for what she perceives as an insincere condolence message following her mother’s recent passing.
In a strongly worded statement posted on social media, she questioned the authenticity of Weah’s tribute, citing alleged mistreatment and disrespect towards Mrs. Doe during Weah’s presidency.
“Thank you for your gracious sentiments,” Mamie Doe began, addressing Weah directly. “We were somewhat surprised to learn of your deep sorrow, given how you treated her with such hostility at your first and last meeting, when she humbly begged you not to sack her son at the port.”
Mamie Doe recalled a contentious encounter between Weah and the former First Lady, highlighting instances where she felt her mother was not given the recognition and support, she deserved.
“She stood at the gates of the Executive Mansion, only to be turned away, year after year,” Doe claimed. “All she wanted to ask was what any First Lady deserves: recognition of her 10-year service, her pension, and relief from 20-year-old pending cases.”
The statement also raised concerns about Weah’s relationship with Samuel K. Doe, questioning his appreciation for Doe’s past support.
“You’d sooner praise foreign backers than the very man who pulled you up by your bootstraps,” she wrote. “Why did you hate him so much and yet he loved you too much?”
While acknowledging the condolence message, Mamie Doe expressed skepticism about its sincerity.
“It seems someone else must have drafted your letter, for it is hard to believe the man who silenced her cries for help for justice now mourns her absence,” she stated, concluding with a call for divine judgment: “Let the Almighty God judge between you and her.”
Ms. Doe’s statement called for divine judgment and emphasized unresolved tensions within Liberia’s political landscape.
