MONROVIA – When former President George Weah finally showed up at former First Lady Nancy Bohn Doe’s residence on Sunday, May 22nd, following her demise to pay homage and console the Samuel Doe’s Family, after he was convinced by former Senate Pro-Tempore and Ambassador Isaac Nyenabo to visit the Doe’s home due to what former President Doe did for him, in his early football career, Weah did tell the Doe family that he would not attend the reburial and funeral rites of his ‘Pa’ and ‘Ma’—former President Doe former First Lady Doe—because he would travel out of the country, but would send a full representation on his behalf at the reburial and funeral rites of the former statesman and woman in Grand Gedeh.
But in a surprising turn of events, Weah was spotted attending a graduation ceremony in Monrovia the same day former President Doe and former First Lady Nancy Doe’s reburial and funeral rites were taking place in Grand Gedeh.
Mr. Weah, accompanied by his wife, former First Lady Clar Weah, was photographed at the graduation of the City of Hope Academy — a school established by the Clar Hope Foundation in Paynesville. The former First Family was seen engaging warmly with graduates, faculty, and parents, celebrating the achievements of the students during the colorful ceremony.
In May, former President Weah visited the Doe Family residence to sympathize with the family of the late President Doe and his widow, Nancy Doe. During that visit, Weah reportedly extended heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved family and informed them he would not be present at the funeral service in Grand Gedeh, citing imminent travel outside the country.
He had said that even though he wouldn’t be at the funeral because he would have been out of Liberia, he added: “y’ll will feel my impact, because I will send my whole crew there.” Like he didn’t show up, his “crew” was never around.
However, reporters and photographers later captured images of the ex-president and his wife seated prominently at the graduation program, raising eyebrows and sparking discussions on social media and in political circles. Did former President Weah snub the Does’ reburial and funeral rites due to feud that ensued between Veronica Mamie Doe and the former President when he sympathized with the Doe Family and the President’s two cows and other items were rejected?
The decision to skip the funeral of a former Head of State — especially one Weah has openly credited for supporting his early football career — while attending a local event on the same day has led to mixed reactions. Weah even calls the deceased couples, “father” and “Ma”, signifying that he regards them as ‘parents.’
Critics argue the former President’s actions were insensitive and disrespectful to the Doe Family, calling it a missed opportunity to honor a man who played a pivotal role in his life. Supporters, on the other hand, say Mr. Weah’s commitment to youth and education through his wife’s foundation shows his priorities lie in empowering the next generation.
Neither Mr. Weah nor the Clar Hope Foundation has issued a statement addressing the apparent contradiction between his earlier claims and Friday’s public appearance.
President Doe, who ruled Liberia from 1980 until his tragic death in 1990 during the civil war, remains a polarizing figure in Liberian history. His funeral, attended by national and international dignitaries, was intended to provide closure and honor his legacy.
As images from the graduation circulate online, the question now lingers: Was this a scheduling conflict, a miscommunication — or a deliberate choice by the former President? For many Liberians, the answer may reflect broader perceptions of loyalty, legacy, and leadership in the post-presidency chapter of George Weah.
Deeply-Rooted: Mamie Doe’s 2nd Rejection of Weah’s Donation
It can be recalled on Monday, June 9, 2025, the eldest daughter of former President Samuel Doe and former First Lady Nancy B. Doe, Ms. Veronica Mamie Doe rejected the gifts of former President Weah twice.
‘Mamie Doe’, as she is famously referred to, gave reasons that led to the Doe Family rejecting former President Weah’s gifts for their bereavement.
At the heart of the rejection was an apology issued by Ambassador Isaac Nyenabo, who had initially accepted the gesture on behalf of the family according to family members.
It was reported that there was a division within the family as a result of Weah’s gesture.
The package included US$5,000 in cash, 50 bags of rice, and two cows.
Mamie Doe, the eldest daughter of the late First Lady and current head of the family, told journalists that Ambassador Nyenabo had apologized, admitting he was unaware of the family’s internal decision and longstanding grievances regarding Mr. Weah.
“Ambassador Nyenabo said he didn’t know the full situation and the agreement we had made as a Family. He has apologized to us,” said Ms. Doe.
Family members have added that the family’s rejection is rooted in deeper concerns, including what they described as neglect and hypocrisy by the former President. “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 Family has long maintained that the late Nancy B. Doe, widow of former President Samuel K. Doe, was denied her rightful benefits as a former First Lady during Mr. Weah’s Administration, a matter they say remains unresolved. This marked the second time the Doe Family publicly rejected a gesture from the former President, fueling speculation about deeper underlying tensions between the two sides.
The unexpected development triggered a wave of public commentary, with some questioning whether the move was purely personal or reflective of broader concerns over state treatment of past national figures and their families.
Ambassador Nyenabo, Uncle of the Doe children, retook the items back in the absent of the Doe children when it was firstly rejected. But it was rejected again by Mamie the second time.
Political Miscalculation
Former President George Weah’s decision not to attend former President Samuel Doe’s reburial and former First Lady Nancy Doe’s burial ceremony in Zwedru will have negative implications for his political career in Grand Gedeh County. Despite the county’s consistent support for Weah in elections, his willful absence from the ceremony has sparked criticisms and perceptions of disrespect towards the Doe Family and the Krahn ethnic group. Weah’s Congress/Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) has won overwhelmingly won nearly all of the votes in all the national elections since 2017. But his political miscalculation will definitely have negative impacts, politically.
See some important points
Lack of Appreciation: A prominent son of Grand Gedeh County, Watson Chelley, has accused Weah of turning his back on the Doe family despite their unwavering support. Chelley highlighted Weah’s removal of Doe’s son from government, failure to appoint family members, and non-compliance with ECOWAS Court benefits for the Doe family.
Perceived Disrespect: Chelley also pointed out that Weah didn’t organize a state funeral for President Doe or visit the family’s home out of respect. This perceived disrespect has sparked heated debates on social media, with many Liberians reflecting on Weah’s relationship with the Doe legacy.
Contrast with Campaign Promises: Weah’s actions contrast with his campaign promises, particularly his development initiatives in Grand Gedeh County, such as the Nimba-Grand Gedeh Highway project. This inconsistency might erode trust among his supporters in the county.
Potential Impact on Future Elections: Given the history of Grand Gedeh County’s support for Weah, his actions may not necessarily lead to a complete loss of votes but could potentially sway most of the voters or create divisions within his support base in the county.
