By: Julius Konton
President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has conveyed Liberia’s profound condolences to the Government and people of the United States following the death of Jesse Louis Jackson, the legendary American civil rights leader, Baptist minister, and two-time U.S. presidential candidate.
Reverend Jackson passed away on February 17, 2026, in Chicago, Illinois, at the age of 84, marking the end of a public life that spanned more than six decades of activism, political engagement, and global advocacy for racial justice, economic equity, and democratic inclusion.
In an official message addressed to U.S. President Donald J. Trump, President Boakai expressed shock and deep sorrow, describing Reverend Jackson as a towering moral force whose influence transcended national borders and whose voice shaped the global human rights movement.
A Global Symbol of Civil Rights and Human Dignity
President Boakai hailed Reverend Jackson as one of the most consequential figures to emerge from the modern civil rights era an era that transformed the political and social landscape of the United States following the passage of landmark legislation such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
These reforms helped dismantle legal segregation and expanded political participation for millions of African Americans, increasing Black voter registration in southern U.S. states from under 30 percent in the early 1960s to more than 60 percent by the early 1970s, according to historical records.
As founder of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, Reverend Jackson championed voter empowerment, economic justice, and international solidarity, while also mounting historic presidential campaigns in 1984 and 1988, during which he won millions of votes and helped reshape American progressive politics.
“Reverend Jackson’s lifelong commitment to equality, justice, and the empowerment of marginalized communities resonated far beyond the borders of the United States,” President Boakai said, noting that his message inspired generations across Africa and the African diaspora, including in Liberia.
Liberia–United States Historic Ties Highlighted
President Boakai underscored the deep historical relationship between Liberia and the United States of America, a bond dating back more than 200 years.
Liberia, founded in 1822 by freed African Americans, has long maintained close diplomatic, cultural, and political ties with Washington, making moments of national mourning in either country particularly resonant.
“During this difficult period of grief,” President Boakai stated, “I extend to you and, through you, to the Government and people of the United States of America, especially the bereaved family, our heartfelt condolences for the loss sustained. We pray that the Almighty God grants comfort and strength as your nation mourns.”
Legacy Beyond Borders
Beyond the United States, Reverend Jackson was widely recognized for his international mediation efforts, humanitarian advocacy, and vocal opposition to apartheid in South Africa, helping to globalize the civil rights struggle at a time when racial justice movements were gaining momentum worldwide.
President Boakai concluded his message by reaffirming Liberia’s solidarity with the American people and offering assurances of his highest consideration and esteem to President Trump and the United States during this period of national mourning.
