Kigali, Rwanda – Liberia, Africa’s oldest Independent Republic and Ethiopia, Africa’s oldest country have signed an agreement to cooperate in the execution of projects and programs in various areas including trade, industry, agriculture and fisheries, energy and infrastructure.

According to a dispatch from Kigali, the agreement which was signed in Kigali today July 17, 2016 on the sidelines of the 27^th Session of the General Assembly of the African Union, also called for cooperation in the education, education, health, telecommunication and information communication technology and manufacturing.

The agreement was signed in the presence of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailermariam Desalegn by Liberia’s Foreign Minister Marjon Kamara and her counterpart Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

The two Foreign Ministers committed to setting up a joint cooperation committee to identify specific projects for implementation under the agreement and to meet regularly to ensure effective implementation.

In separate statements, both ministers described the agreement as ‘historic’ and possessing the potential of being mutually beneficial to the peoples of the two nations.

Speaking following the signing, President Sirleaf recounted the long-standing bonds subsisting between the two countries, recounting how Liberia and Ethiopia were pivotal in leading the struggles for an independent Africa.

The Liberian Leader said both countries must ensure that their historic relationship is translated into tangible outcomes.

“The agreement signed here today by our two countries presents a unique opportunity for us to transform our partnership into actionable programs to benefit our peoples”.

She said both parties must work hard to ensure that there is urgent implementation.

The Ethiopian Premier assured President Sirleaf of his country’s full commitment in the implementation of the accord. He said as Africa’s two luminaries, Liberia and Ethiopia must lead intra-continental cooperation.

Prime Minister Hailermariam Desalegn then invited President Sirleaf for a state visit to Ethiopia.

Monrovia – President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has lauded the historic ties subsisting between Liberia and the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia amid the tremendous contributions both nations have made together in promoting Pan-African spirit through the formation of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) in the early 60s.

According to an Executive Mansion release, President Sirleaf made the commendation when Her Excellency, Gifti Abasiya, Ambassador-Designate, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia accredited to Liberia with residence in Accra, Ghana presented her Letter of Credence on Tuesday, March 29, 2016 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Monrovia.

She said Liberia and the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia share unique historical similarities of not being colonized by any colonial power and recounted the close relationship between the late President William V.S. Tubman of Liberia and  Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia who worked tirelessly towards the formation of the then O.A.U. to forge a common African solidarity and brotherhood.

President Sirleaf further recalled the historic visit of Emperor Selassie to Liberia in the early 60s, which took them to Northern Sanniquellie, Nimba County along with Dr. Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana and Armed Sekou Toure of Guinea.

Earlier, from July 15 –15, 1959, the first meeting was held in the Central Province Now Nimba County) and attended by Presidents Kwame Nkrumah, Armed Sekou Toure and host William V.S. Tubman to chart a course for the formation of a continental body.           

She praised the people of Ethiopia – recognizing their resilience having emerged out of the tentacles of severe famine cum conflict in the early 80s to a country of transformation and unprecedented development.

She described Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn’s predecessor Meles Zenawi as a visionary leader and said she has no doubt that PM Dessalegn would continue in the path of such lofty legacy. She stressed the need to rekindle previous Joint Cooperation Agreements in the interest of both countries and their peoples by giving meaning to their relevance.

Earlier, Ambassador-Designate, Gifti Abasiya thanked President Sirleaf for the audience and noted that there was a compelling need to accelerate the pace of closer cooperation that will bring benefits to our two countries.

She acknowledged progress made under the leadership of President Sirleaf, which has largely brought hope to her country and people. She then conveyed a special message of warmth and best wishes from Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn to his Liberian counterpart.

She Ethiopia was prepared to work along with Liberia particularly at the level of the African Union (AU) to promote and advance the mutual interest of the two nations and aspirations. She expressed the hope that the relationship will continue to be nurtured in the coming years.