Liberia: Award Winning Director Gerald Barclay to Release Documentary on Tolbert Assassination - FrontPageAfrica

Monrovia – Award-winning Liberian film director and cinematographer Gerald K. Barclay is preparing to release a powerful new documentary examining the assassination of President William Richard Tolbert Jr., Liberia’s 19th president, and the historic events that reshaped the country’s political destiny.

By Gerald C, Koinyeneh, gerald.koinyeneh@frontpageafricaonline.com

The film, titled “The Reshaping of a Country’s Destiny,” revisits the dramatic events of April 12, 1980, when enlisted soldiers of the Armed Forces of Liberia stormed the Executive Mansion and assassinated President Tolbert, bringing an abrupt end to more than a century of Americo-Liberian political dominance.

The coup, led by soldiers who overthrew the Tolbert government, marked a turning point in Liberia’s history. Ten days later, on April 22, 1980, the new military rulers publicly executed 13 senior officials of the Tolbert administration by firing squad following what critics described as a kangaroo trial. The body of the slain president and the 13 officials were buried in a mass grave at the Palm Grove Cemetery in Central Monrovia. Forty-five years later, the Government of Liberia, led by President Joseph Boakai, in July 2025, dedicated a Memorial Site in honor of the late President William Richard Tolbert, Jr. and the 13 government officials.

The dedication took place at the Liberian Baptist Theological Seminary in Paynesville, where the mausoleum now stands as a national symbol of remembrance, reconciliation, and renewed commitment to justice and peace. The event was attended by an array of dignitaries, including former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, former Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor, First Lady Mrs. Kartumu Y. Boakai, the Speaker, Senate Pro-temp and members of the National Legislature, government officials, members of the clergy, representatives of the diplomatic corps, representation of the Doe family and the bereaved families of the fallen statesmen.

In his message, President Boakai described the dedication as “a national duty and an act of moral restitution,” emphasizing that remembering the painful chapters of Liberia’s history is essential to healing and building a more united future.

Revisiting an Untold Chapter of Liberia’s History

Barclay’s documentary explores what he describes as the untold story of one of Africa’s least-known reformers and the profound consequences of his death for Liberia’s political and social trajectory.

Tolbert assumed the presidency in 1971 following the death of President William V. S. Tubman. Unlike many of his predecessors, Tolbert introduced reforms aimed at combating corruption and narrowing the gap between the ruling Americo-Liberian elite and the indigenous majority who had long felt politically and economically marginalized.

However, his reform agenda faced resistance from multiple directions. Established political elites and international interests reportedly viewed the reforms as a threat to their influence, while some among the indigenous population believed the pace of change was too slow.

By the late 1970s, mounting economic pressures and political tensions placed Tolbert’s administration under intense strain. These tensions ultimately culminated in the 1980 military coup, which dramatically altered Liberia’s political landscape.

Eyewitness Accounts Featured in the Documentary

The documentary features interviews with several individuals who witnessed or experienced the historic events.

Among those appearing in the trailer are former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who served as Minister of Finance at the time of the coup, Dr. Elwood Dunn, former Minister of State for Presidential Affairs during the Tolbert administration, Ambassador Neh-Dukuly Tolbert, widow of Steve Tolbert, and Richard V. Tolbert, nephew of President Tolbert.

Reflecting on the coup’s impact, Dr. Dunn said in the documentary: “Everything that we had been trying to do to fix our country was wiped out by one night of 60 minutes.”

Richard Tolbert also recounts the atmosphere of uncertainty surrounding the events, stating: “The civilian government was pretty much powerless. The blood of men spilled on that ground, and the blood speaks.”

Ambassador Dukuly-Tolbert describes the loss as profound for Liberia. “Liberia lost a great man. And I doubt that in the next 50 years we may find someone like him.”

About the Director

Gerald K. Barclay, professionally known as Gee-Bee, is a Liberian-born filmmaker, producer, writer, cinematographer, and editor with an international reputation in film and music production.

Over the years, Barclay has directed hundreds of music videos for major global artists, including Wu-Tang Clan, Master P, Snoop Dogg, Bounty Killa, Mystikal, Big Pun, III & Al Skratch, and The Gap Band.

Beyond music videos, his film credits include Liberia: The Love of Liberty Brought Us Here, Wu: The Story of the Wu-Tang Clan, Bloody Streetz, The Bully and Fatima’s Revenge.

His recent projects include the concert film “A Wu-Tang Clan Experience: Live at Red Rocks Amphitheater,” the documentary “Life or Death: The Arthur ‘Silky Slim’ Story,” and the feature film “No, Not Me,” which examines female circumcision.

With “The Reshaping of a Country’s Destiny,” Barclay aims to shed new light on a defining moment in Liberia’s history while preserving the memories of those who lived through it.