United States Ambassador to Liberia

Ambassador of the United States to Liberia

Seal of the United States Department of State
Incumbent
Christine A. Elder
since June 20, 2016
Nominator Barack Obama
Inaugural holder Abraham Hanson
as Commissioner/Consul General
Formation June 8, 1863
Website U.S. Embassy - Monrovia

This is a record of Ambassadors of the United States to Liberia.

Liberia, as a nation, had its beginnings in 1821 when groups of free blacks from the United States emigrated from the U.S. and began establishing colonies on the coast under the direction of the American Colonization Society. Between 1821 and 1847, by a combination of purchase and conquest, American Societies developed the colonies under the name “Liberia”, dominating the native inhabitants of the area. In 1847 the colony declared itself an independent nation. Because it was already established as a nation, Liberia avoided becoming a European colony during the great age of European colonies in Africa during the latter half of the 19th century.

The United States recognized Liberia as an independent state in 1862 and commissioned its first representative to Liberia in 1863. The representative, Abraham Hanson, was appointed as Commissioner/Consul General. The status of the commissioner was later upgraded to Minister, and finally to full Ambassador in 1949. Relations between the United States and Liberia have been continuous since that time.

Eight U.S. ambassadors have died at their post serving in Liberia.

The U.S. Embassy in Liberia is located in Monrovia.

Ambassadors

U.S. diplomatic terms

Career FSO
After 1915, The United States Department of State began classifying ambassadors as career Foreign Service Officers (FSOs) for those who have served in the Foreign Service for a specified amount of time.

Political appointee
A person who is not a career foreign service officer, but is appointed by the president (often as a reward to political friends).

Appointed
The date that the ambassador took the oath of office; also known as “commissioning”. It follows confirmation of a presidential appointment by the Senate, or a Congressional-recess appointment by the president. In the case of a recess appointment, the ambassador requires subsequent confirmation by the Senate.

Presented credentials
The date that the ambassador presented his letter of credence to the head of state or appropriate authority of the receiving nation. At this time the ambassador officially becomes the representative of his country. This would normally occur a short time after the ambassador’s arrival on station. The host nation may reject the ambassador by not receiving the ambassador’s letter, but this occurs only rarely.

Terminated mission
Usually the date that the ambassador left the country. In some cases a letter of recall is presented, ending the ambassador’s commission, either as a means of diplomatic protest or because the diplomat is being reassigned elsewhere and replaced by another envoy.

Chargé d'affaires
The person in charge of the business of the embassy when there is no ambassador commissioned to the host country. See chargé d'affaires.

Ad interim
Latin phrase meaning "for the time being", "in the meantime". See ad interim.

Note: The office was upgraded to Minister Resident/Consul General beginning with the next envoy.

Note: The ministerial post was upgraded to Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary after Mitchell (above) had taken his oath of office but before he proceeded to his post. He was recommissioned with the above title on January 20, 1931.

Note: From 1992–1999 the following officers served as chargés d’affaires ad interim: William H. Twaddell (September 1992–July 1995), William B. Milam (November 1995–January 1999), and Donald K. Petterson (February 1999–August 1999).

Notes

  1. ↑ Hanson was commissioned during a recess of the Senate and recommissioned after confirmation on January 12, 1864.
  2. ↑ Seys was commissioned during a recess of the Senate and recommissioned after confirmation on February 21, 1867.
  3. ↑ Garnet was commissioned during a recess of the Senate. His date of commissioning is not recorded. The commission was enclosed with an instruction of July 19, 1881. He was recommissioned after confirmation on October 26, 1881.
  4. ↑ Hopkins was commissioned during a recess of the Senate and recommissioned after confirmation on January 13, 1886.
  5. ↑ Taylor was commissioned during a recess of the Senate. [Apparently not recommissioned.]
  6. ↑ Moore took the oath of office but did not proceed to his post.
  7. ↑ Curtis was commissioned during a recess of the Senate and recommissioned after confirmation on December 17, 1915.
  8. ↑ Francis was commissioned during a recess of the Senate and recommissioned after confirmation on December 17, 1927.
  9. ↑ Mitchel was commissioned as Minister Resident/Consul General on September 10, 1930, and recommissioned after confirmation on December 16, 1930.
  10. ↑ Dudley was commissioned during a recess of the Senate and recommissioned after confirmation on March 2, 1949.
  11. ↑ Brown was commissioned during a recess of the Senate and recommissioned after confirmation on January 18, 1965.
  12. ↑ Manfull was commissioned during a recess of the Senate and recommissioned after confirmation on February 8, 1973.
  13. ↑ de Vos arrived at his post on June 28, 1990. He had not presented credentials before the overthrow of the government of Liberia on September 11, 1990.

See also

References

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