Liberian Military Issues First Formal Apology for 1990 Lutheran Church Massacre

The Armed Forces of Liberia have issued a formal apology for the 1990 massacre at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Monrovia, marking the first time the military institution has publicly accepted responsibility for atrocities committed during the country’s first civil war. During the commemoration, Assistant Defense Minister Oscar Mulbah expressed regret for the military's past actions, stating that the institution now seeks to prioritize human dignity and the rule of law.

Church leaders and survivors of the attack, in which an estimated 600 civilians were killed while seeking sanctuary, welcomed the acknowledgment as a significant step. However, many survivors emphasized that the apology must be followed by concrete action. Representatives at the memorial renewed calls for the Liberian government to establish a War and Economic Crimes Court, arguing that true national reconciliation requires legal accountability for wartime abuses. The event also included prayers and the unveiling of a new memorial to honor those who lost their lives.