The tension surrounding the funeral preparations of former First Lady Nancy B. Doe took a dramatic turn Monday, as a second attempt was made to return funeral gifts, two cows and fifty bags of rice, donated by former President George M. Weah. The move was once again spearheaded by Madam Veronica Mannie Doe, daughter of the late President Samuel K. Doe.
As the items were being transported back to the headquarters of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), Ambassador Isaac Nyenabo arrived on the scene and intervened. He requested that the vehicle owners offload the items back into the Doe family yard, in defiance of Madam Doe’s clear instructions to return them to the CDC.
The vehicle owners, faced with the ambassador’s authority, complied and offloaded the goods before quietly departing the premises.
Despite Ambassador Nyenabo’s multiple attempts to de-escalate the situation and persuade Madam Doe to accept the items, she stood firm. “I don’t want them here,” she reportedly said, maintaining her position in the presence of community members and family.
Roughly fifteen minutes later, the vehicle returned. Ambassador Nyenabo then informed those gathered that Grand Gedeh women had agreed to accept the gifts, and the items would be transferred to them for delivery to the county.
The standoff sparked sharp reactions from some Grand Gedeans on the ground, who expressed disappointment in Madam Doe’s actions. “Why is she behaving this way?” one frustrated community member asked. Others went as far as threatening to boycott the funeral in Grand Gedeh if the conflict continued.
Still, Madam Veronica Doe later confirmed that after consultation with her siblings, the family reached a unified decision to reject the gifts once again.
The latest development adds another layer to the unfolding drama between the Doe family and supporters of former President Weah, raising further questions about the state of reconciliation, loyalty, and tradition in Liberian politics and culture.
As preparations for the burial of the former First Lady continue, all eyes remain on whether common ground can be found, or whether this dispute will overshadow the final farewell of a historic national figure.
