By: Ben TC Brooks |River Gee County Contributing Reporter
River Gee County – Sept. 4 2025 – In a poignant and moving ceremony, residents of River Gee County gathered to witness the dedication of a newly constructed 11th memorial site honoring the 13 victims of the tragic Sarbo Woffieken Massacre.
The event commemorated the alleged brutal killing carried out on November 11, 1994, by the Liberia Peace Council-LPC rebels during the country’s civil conflict.
With a construction cost of USD$74,000, overseen by the Independent National Commission on Human Rights (INCHR) and funded by the Liberian government, the project signifies a significant stride towards healing, reconciliation, and preserving the memory of the victims.
Survivors, families of the deceased, local residents, civil society organization leaders, and county officials came together for the dedication, underscoring the importance of acknowledging the pain of the past and fostering unity and dignity in their memory.
Chief Lewis Toe, speaking at the ceremony, emphasized the collective responsibility to prevent such atrocities from recurring, highlighting the need for mechanisms to promote peace and reconciliation for future generations. He suggested enhancing the site with solar lighting to make it more accessible and visitor-friendly.
Expressing gratitude to the government and INCHR for their efforts, Chief Toe urged the community to take ownership of the memorial project as a shared legacy.
Old man Benson Collin, a survivor of the massacre, recounted the harrowing events of that fateful day in 1994, reaffirming the town’s commitment to preserving the site as a lasting testament to the victims. He called for justice and urged adherence to the rule of law to prevent the cycle of violence.
Ma-Esther Toe, echoing the sentiments of survivors and families, appealed for continued support from INCHR to aid communities in recovering from the trauma of war and ensuring that the victims are never forgotten.
The CSO Council Chair of River Gee County, Abu Diallo, pledged to collaborate with partners in promoting development and human rights to uplift the well-being of the populace.
At the event, Assistant Minister for Economic Policy, Henry DZ Yanquoi reiterated the government’s dedication to supporting peace-building efforts at both national and community levels, emphasizing the imperative of unity and harmony in post-conflict Liberia.
Cllr. Jallah Allen Barbu, Executive Director of the War and Economic Crimes Court, assured that justice would be served for the war victims, stressing the importance of accountability for all perpetrators, regardless of their status.
INCHR Chairperson Cllr. T. Dempster Brown reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to healing the wounds of war through reparations and memorialization, in alignment with the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC).
The Sarbo Woffieken memorial site, part of a series of planned sites across the nation, aims to provide families with a place for reflection and remembrance, honoring those lost in the civil war’s mass atrocities.
As Liberia looks towards a future of peace and reconciliation, the memorial in Sarbo Woffieken serves as a poignant symbol of remembrance and hope for a united and inclusive society.
