Monrovia – President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf on Monday, May 16, 2016 received a U.S. Government delegation headed by Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Linda Thomas-Greenfield. Assistant Secretary of State Greenfield arrived in Liberia on Sunday, May 15, 2016 for a 3-day official visit to Liberia.
While in Liberia, the visiting American delegation will meet several groupings and individuals including Vice President Joseph Nyumah Boakai, the leaderships of both the Senate and House of Representatives, Representatives of Political parties, amongst others.
According to an Executive Mansion release, President Sirleaf acknowledged that the visit comes at a very important time considering Liberia’s pending economic and political transition, stressing that her government is pleased with the continued support of the American Government.
She reflected on the strong support of the U.S. Government on the Mount Coffee Hydro Plant in particularly and the many other support to various sector of the country’s development agenda.
President Sirleaf also told the delegation about efforts by the African Development Bank to focus support on the agriculture sector with emphasis on manufacturing and value addition.
“The AfDB is very keen and interested in working with our agricultural sector and will for the first time have a full account of all farmers in the country.
The Liberian leader also briefed the American delegation about what she called the “revolutionary Land Reform Policy which is currently before the National legislature, the on-going education reform program, the post-Ebola reform process in the health sector, the UNMIL drawdown process as well as the electioneering and constitution review processes.
“Madam Ambassador, the pending elections in Liberia will be the greatest test to the country peace and democracy. We are committed to ensuring a free, fair, credible and transparent election process because this will be the first in more than 3 decades that a sitting President will transfer power to a successor.
Support for the process is therefore required to support the transition and the Election Commission that has demonstrated the capacity and integrity to conduct credible elections”, President Sirleaf concluded.
For her part, Assistant U.S. Secretary of State for African Affairs, Linda Thomas Greenfield, acknowledged that all were in agreement that it was time for Liberia to handle its own security but with full support from the U.S. and other friendly governments and partners.
She pointed out that she has full confidence that Liberia will continue to move forward and make progress despite the UNMIL drawdown process.
“I am excited about the progress Liberia has made under your leadership and know that the U.S. got your back.
The pending elections in Liberia will tell the country’s readiness to remain peaceful, democratic and progressive. I believe that Liberia’s political leaders have a responsibility to support and respect the process and its outcome.
The actors and leaders must control the conduct of their followers and keep them away from acts of violence”, Ambassador Greenfield indicated.
She further pointed out that Liberians do not need or deserve violence and conflict anymore and their leaders must know it and also reiterated the America’s strong commitment to Liberia, adding that U.S. will make Liberia a success story.
Ambassador Greenfield noted that there is a strong presence of U.S. Health personnel in Liberia particularly from the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and assured that they will work with Liberia to build a resilient healthcare system.
She concluded by committing to resume the US/Liberia Partnership Dialogue which was initiated prior to the outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease.
In the Liberia’s transitioning period between 2006 to 2008, the US focused on helping Liberia rebuild and demonstrate progress in areas such as Security, Justice, Health, Education, Governance, Infrastructure, Economic activity and Agriculture.