Caldwell – Standing where his father was brutally murdered 34 years ago, Sel Eat Do Addo, daughter of murdered Liberian president Samuel Canon Do, has delivered an unforgettable, hopeful plea for forgiveness and reconciliation of the people.
“Forgive me and settle it so that the curse of this country can end,” she said. “I can see where my father was murdered, tortured, assassinated, mutilated and burned.”
The inspiring charm came at a military memorial organized by Liberian Army (AFL) veterans in Caldwell, Montserrado County.
After decades of separation from Liberia, Do Addo has returned with a message aimed at healing old wounds that have long fueled the national sector. Her father was once a Master Sergeant, but after taking power in a coup in 1980, she was captured and killed by rebels loyal to Prince Johnson at the height of the Civil War.
His death was filmed and broadcast worldwide, leaving an indelible scar to the left, with Liberian collective spirit and inflamed ethnic and political tensions, particularly among Grandede, Do’s hometown and rivals.
On Saturday, April 5th, in the iconic location of his end of mise, Doe-Addo paid tribute to the man she called “daddy” and acknowledged the pain she endured the country ever since.
She expressed her sincere appreciation to the AFL veterans standing by their families through years of national turbulence, and emotionally recognized the soldiers who have been identified only as “Mr. Anderson.”
“When he told you to save yourself, you followed your commander,” she said. “You weren’t persuaded or bribery. It was out of love and loyalty. For you, I know what happened to my father.”
Doe-Addo also praised President Joseph Boachey and his administration for launching measures to grant state burials to his father.
“Under this administration, we will see as Liberians, our beloved president get their due diligence and legitimate burials,” she declares, indicating that many view it as a broader move to deal with the painful chapters of Liberian history.
However, the message of unity was hidden by a fresh division within the DOE family. Former First Lady Nancy Do and some of her children were notable. In a recent statement, Madame Deau accused Sen. Zoe Emmanuel Penne of impersonating his family and attempting to coordinate the national retrial without consent.
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“Me and my kids were never contacted,” the former first lady said. “The government needs to be careful not to fall into the hands of those seeking to exploit Samuel Daw’s memories.”
Despite the controversy, Doe-Addo appealed for healing – not only between political and ethnic factions, but also within her own family.
“To my people in Grandgede, Nimbha and this beautiful country, the past is the past,” she urged. “We’ll reconcile and start again. The spirit of this country is injured.
The stern opportunity ended with prayer and military honor. Some veterans were openly wept as the old AFL anthem echoed through the crowd. Others kneel in the iconic place and lay leases in memory of their leader, who continues to be one of the darkest chapters of the past with Liberia’s troubles.
