Monrovia-What began as a moment of personal grief for former Foreign Affairs Minister, Ambassador Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, Sr., has evolved into a national moment of reflection, drawing sympathy, solidarity, and growing public concern over the circumstances surrounding the passing of his mother, the late Ma-Watta Kumba Soliyah Larmie.
By: Willie N. Tokpah
The death of the respected matriarch on March 11, 2026, at St. Joseph Catholic Hospital has not only shaken the Kemayah family but has also stirred unease in political and public circles, with whispers of government-related lapses fueling broader discussions about accountability and care for human rights of people accused who are presumed innocent under the laws of Liberia.
Alexander B. Cummings Extends Personal Empathy Rooted in Shared Loss.
Among the latest high-profile figures to reach out to former Foreign Minister Kemayah was Mr. Alexander B. Cummings, the Political Leader of the Alternative National Congress (ANC), whose message struck a deeply personal chord.
“Your Excellency, I called to extend my sympathy and condolences on the passing of your mother. Losing a mother is tough, as I experienced in 2024. You are in my thoughts and prayers. May her soul rest in peace,” Cummings stated.
Responding to Mr. Cummings, Political Leader of ANC with emotional candor, Ambassador Kemayah acknowledged both the gesture and the shared pain.
“Indeed, losing a mother is tough. It’s extremely difficult for my dear family and me, especially given the very painful circumstances surrounding the unfortunate death of my beloved mother, and the unceasing solid bond we shared for more than sixty years.”
Ambassador Kemayah, in a remarkable show of mutual empathy, also extended condolences to Mr. Cummings for his own loss in 2024, concluding with a solemn prayer for all departed souls.
Senator Gbezohngar Findley Reflects on a Life of Warmth and Deep Connection
Adding his voice to the condolences during a visit at the residence of Ambassador Kemayah over the weekend was Grand Bassa County Senator, Hon. Gbehzohngar Milton Findley, also former Minister of Foreign Affairs, who described the late Ma-Watta Kumba Soliyah Larmie as not just a mother, but as a vibrant presence whose bond with her son, Ambassador Kemayah was unmistakable.
Senator Findley recounted a memorable shared journey in 2018 when Ambassador Kemayah took his mother, Ma-Watta Kumba Soliyah-Larmie along with his family to the United States, during which he observed firsthand her lively spirit, warmth, engaging personality and very strong bond with her son.
He emphasized that her presence lit up even the most routine moments, leaving lasting impressions on those around her.
According to Senator Findley, the closeness between Ma-Watta and her son, former Foreign Minister Kemayah was profound and visible, built on decades of mutual devotion, respect, and companionship.
“This is not a loss to be seen lightly,” he noted, adding that her passing represents both a personal tragedy for the family and the loss of a woman whose character touched many beyond her immediate circle. Senator Findley also committed to attending all activities of the funeral rites of Ma-Watta Kumba Soliyah Larmie as a mark of last respect to her.
Ambassador Kemayah, in response to Senator Findley, expressed gratitude for his condolence visit, words of consolation, empathy and solidarity, stressing that, “Minister Findley, it is absolutely no surprise that you showed up at my residence unaware to me to extend sympathy to my family and me for the very painful death of my beloved mother because that is who I know you to be, a caring and selfless man of empathy. The surprise would have been if you had not come to sympathize with me, such surprise which I can certainly say would never come because it is in your nature to be of empathy, caring and selfless to humanity”, Ambassador concluded.
Former Senate Pro-Temp Albert T. Chie and Current Senate Pro-Temp Nyonblee Kangar Lawrence have also extended their condolences to Amb. Kemayah for the loss of his beloved mother, Ma-Watta Kumba Soliyah Larmie.
In separate messages, the two officials console Amb. Kemayah as he goes through this period of bereavement.
Former Foreign Minister Kemayah extended appreciation to current Pro-Temp Nyonblee Kangar Lawrence and former Pro-Temp Albert T. Chie for their respective messages of sympathy extended him for the death of Ma-Watta.
Champ Weah Leads Quiet Visit of Solidarity
In a separate but equally symbolic gesture, the son of former President George Manneh Weah, George Weah, Jr., popularly known as “Champ Weah”, joined by associates Sebwenyon E. Tuning and Austin W. Saydee made a solemn visit to Ambassador Kemayah’s residence in Paynesville.
The visit of Champ Weah and friends, marked by humility and quiet reflection, underscored the enduring human connections that transcend politics and public life.
Champ Weah and delegation offered heartfelt condolences and committed to fully participate in all activities of the funeral of Ma-Watta on next Friday, April 10.
For his part, Ambassador Kemayah expressed his thanks and appreciation to Champ Weah, Sebwenyon E. Tuning and Austin W. Saydee for their visit, words of consolation and commitment to fully participate in activities of the funeral rites of his mother, Ma-Watta Kumba Soliyah- Larmie.
Observers noted that the presence of Weah Jr., son of former President George Manneh Weah, added another layer of national significance to the mourning process, symbolizing unity across political and generational lines.
A Death That Raises Troubling Questions
While tributes continue to pour in, the narrative surrounding Ma-Watta Kumba Soliyah-Larmie’s death is increasingly shifting beyond condolences.
References by family members to “very painful circumstances” have sparked concern among citizens and advocacy groups, with some questioning whether systemic failures within the governance structure of the country may have contributed to the tragedy.
Family sources disclosed that Ma-Watta Kumba Soliyah Larmie passed away at the St. Joseph’s Catholic Hospital in Monrovia on the night of this past national Decoration Day.
According to a source close to the family and some community members who spoke on condition of anonymity, she was hypotensive before the situation, but after receiving trauma and shock from her very harsh awakening from sleep in the early hours of the morning and witnessing the search of the residence of her son, Ambassador Kemayah, in Paynesville, including her place of stay in the same residence as she had gone in early June of 2025 to spend some time with her son, Ambassador Kemayah and his arrest, her health situation kept worsening up to her death asserting that “since Ma-Watta personally experienced the very traumatic search of former Foreign Minister Kemayah’s residence, including her place of stay and the arrest of her son, Ambassador Kemayah, she never recovered from the effects of the shock and trauma from the incident and continued going downhill up to her death on this gone decoration day”, the source close to the family emphasized.
A Nation Watches, A Family Mourns
As funeral arrangements progress, with several high-profile figures and others, committing to attend all related activities, the story of Ma-Watta Kumba Soliyah Larmie is becoming more than a private loss.
It is emerging as a national moment, one that blends grief with scrutiny, and sympathy with quiet calls for answers.
In a country often divided by politics, this moment of shared mourning has revealed a rare convergence of humanity.
Yet beneath the unity lies an unspoken question of whether the loss could have been prevented.
For now, Liberia mourns with the Kemayah family, while watching closely for what comes next.
Our sources close to the family that on every Sunday since the death of Ma-Watta, there is a Family meeting and at this meeting, information on the progress of all the funeral preparation activities, condolences through visits, calls and messages among others are provided to the family, and our sources who prefer anonymity were privy to the meeting last Sunday and reliably informed FPA of these details.
