Liberia–United States relations

Liberia – United States relations

Liberia
United States

Liberia – United States relations are bilateral relations between Liberia and the United States.

History

A pair of ivory candlesticks with a wooden presentation box that was gifted to American President Gerald Ford by Liberian President William R. Tolbert.

U.S. relations with Liberia date back to 1819, when the US Congress appropriated $100,000 for the establishment of Liberia.[1] The United States officially recognized Liberia in 1862, 15 years after its establishment as a sovereign nation, and the two nations shared very close diplomatic, economic, and military ties until the 1990s.

U.S. assists Americo-Liberians

The United States had a long history of intervening in Liberia's internal affairs, occasionally sending naval vessels to help the Americo-Liberians, who comprised the ruling minority, put down insurrections by indigenous tribes (in 1821, 1843, 1876, 1910, and 1915). By 1909, Liberia faced serious external threats to its sovereignty from the European colonial powers over unpaid foreign loans and annexation of its borderlands.[2]

President William Howard Taft devoted a considerable portion of his First Annual Message to Congress (December 7, 1909) to the Liberian question, noting the close historical ties between the two countries that gave an opening for a wider intervention:

"It will be remembered that the interest of the United States in the Republic of Liberia springs from the historical fact of the foundation of the Republic by the colonization of American citizens of the African race. In an early treaty with Liberia there is a provision under which the United States may be called upon for advice or assistance. Pursuant to this provision and in the spirit of the moral relationship of the United States to Liberia, that Republic last year asked this Government to lend assistance in the solution of certain of their national problems, and hence the Commission was sent across the ocean on two cruisers.[3]

In 1912 the U.S. arranged a 40-year international loan of $ 1.7 million, against which Liberia had to agree to four Western powers (America, Britain, France and Germany) controlling Liberian Government revenues for the next 14 years, until 1926. American administration of the border police also stabilized the frontier with Sierra Leone and checked French ambitions to annex more Liberian territory. The American navy also established a coaling station in Liberia, cementing its presence. When World War I started, Liberia declared war on Germany and expelled its resident German merchants, who constituted the country's largest investors and trading partners – Liberia suffered economically as a result..[4]

In 1926, the Liberian government gave a concession to the American rubber company Firestone to start the world’s largest rubber plantation at Harbel, Liberia. At the same time, Firestone arranged a $5 million private loan to Liberia. In the 1930s Liberia was again virtually bankrupt, and, after some American pressure, agreed to an assistance plan from the League of Nations. As part of this plan, two key officials of the League were placed in positions to ´advise´ the Liberian government.

World War II

President Edwin Barclay (right) and U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt during World War II, January 1943

During World War II, Liberia joined the Allied Forces and Monrovia was host to important Allied logistics bases. Firestone was a large munitions supplier for the Allies.[5][6]

Since 1970

Liberian and United States relationships became strained between 1971 and 1980 due to Liberian president William R. Tolbert's establishment of diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union and other Eastern Bloc countries.[7] In 1978, United States president Jimmy Carter made the first official presidential visit to Liberia.[6]

During the 1980s, the United States forged especially close ties with Liberia as part of a Cold War effort to suppress Communist movements in Africa.[5] Samuel Doe's government was seen by American strategists as being especially important to their Cold War policies in Africa and his government received between $500 million and $1.3 billion during the 1980s from the U.S. through direct and indirect channels.[8] Furthermore, Liberia was home to a relay station for Voice of America, a large navigation tower, and the CIA's main African base for the majority of this period.[6]

Liberian President Tolbert and U.S. President Jimmy Carter (in car, left) in Monrovia

The rise of Charles Taylor's government, the Liberian Civil War, regional instability and human rights abuses interrupted the previously close relations between Liberia and the United States. Charles Taylor's election in 1997 was monitored by the Economic Community of West African States and the United States officially recognized the result and the new government.[9] However, during Taylor's presidency, the United States cut direct financial and military aid to the Liberian government, withdrew Peace Corps operations, imposed a travel ban on senior Liberian Government officials, and frequently criticized Charles Taylor's government.[1][10] Much of the Liberian-American tension from this period stems from the Liberian government's acknowledged support for the Revolutionary United Front, a rebel group in Sierra Leone and surrounding region.[5] Due to intense pressure from the international community and the United States, along with Liberian civic organizations like the Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace, Charles Taylor resigned his office on August 11, 2003.[7]

The resignation and exile of Charles Taylor in 2003 brought changes in diplomatic ties between the United States and Liberia. On July 30, 2003, the United States proposed a UN Security Council draft resolution to authorize the deployment of a multi-national stabilization force.[11][12] Despite stated concerns about prosecution in the International Criminal Court, United States president George W. Bush sent 200 marines to Monrovia's airport to support the peace-keeping effort. The United States also deployed warships along Liberia's coast as part of the stabilization effort.[13] The United States committed $1.16 billion to Liberia between the years of 2004 and 2006.[1][14]

USAID

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) implements the U.S. Government's development assistance program. USAID's post-conflict rebuilding strategy focuses on reintegration and is increasingly moving towards a longer-term development focus. Rehabilitation efforts include national and community infrastructure projects, such as building roads, refurbishing government buildings, and training Liberians in vocational skills. USAID also funds basic education programs, improving education for children, focusing on girls, and training teachers. In the health area, USAID programs include primary health care clinics, HIV/AIDS prevention, and a large malaria program. USAID supports rule of law programs, establishing legal aid clinics and victim abuse centers, training judges and lawyers, community peace building and reconciliation efforts, and anti-corruption projects to promote transparency and accountability in public sector entities. USAID is also providing support to strengthen the legislature and other political processes. USAID is strengthening civil society's role in delivering services and advocating good governance. Total USAID funding program for these programs in FY 2007 was $65.9 million.

In 2009, a 17.5 million dollar contract was offered to Liberia with the International Foundation for Electoral Systems as the conduit.[15] This money is meant to support the 2011 general elections and 2014 Senate elections.[15]

U.S. officials

Principal U.S. Officials include:

The U.S. Embassy is located in Monrovia.

See also

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Department of State website http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/index.htm (Background Notes).

  1. 1 2 3 "Liberia". State.gov. 2015-05-05. Retrieved 2015-05-19.
  2. ↑ John Pike. "Liberia". Globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 2015-05-19.
  3. ↑ ""Our Responsibility in Liberia", The Literary Digest, Friday, December 25, 1909". UNZ.org. 1909-12-25. Retrieved 2015-05-19.
  4. ↑ John Pike. "Liberian-Grebo War of 1910". Globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 2015-05-19.
  5. 1 2 3 "International Spotlight: Africa on the Agenda". Media.washingtonpost.com. Retrieved 2015-05-19.
  6. 1 2 3 "Global Connections . Liberia . U.S. Policy". PBS. Retrieved 2015-05-19.
  7. 1 2 "Global Connections . Liberia . Timeline". PBS. Retrieved 2015-05-19.
  8. ↑ John Pike (1996-05-17). "Monrovia - US Embassy". Globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 2015-05-19.
  9. ↑ "STATEMENT BY THE PRESS SECRETARY : U.S. Delegation to the Presidential Inauguration in Liberia". Clinton6.nara.gov. Retrieved 2015-05-19.
  10. ↑ "U.S. offers U.N. resolution on Liberia - Aug. 1, 2003". CNN.com. 2003-08-01. Retrieved 2015-05-19.
  11. ↑ Taylor sets date to step down, CNN, August 2, 2003
  12. ↑ "FRONTLINE/WORLD . Liberia - No More War . Liberia's Historic Ties to America". PBS. Retrieved 2015-05-19.
  13. ↑ "Africa | Welcome for US Liberia deployment". BBC News. 2003-07-26. Retrieved 2015-05-19.
  14. ↑ Liberian president invites rebels into government, CNN, August 12, 2003
  15. 1 2 Jean-Matthew Nation, Tamba (29 October 2009). "Liberia to het $17.5m for polls". Daily Nation (Kenya).

Further reading

External links


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