 | This article needs to beupdated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information.(September 2025) |
 | |
 Liberia |  United States |
|---|---|
Liberia–United States relations arebilateral relations betweenLiberia and theUnited States. The two countries shared a close relationship until the 1970s.[1]
U.S. relations with Liberia date back to 1819, when the USCongress appropriated $100,000 for the establishment of Liberia.[2] Although Liberiadeclared its independence in 1847, United States senators fromsouthern states prevented its recognition as a sovereign nation until 1862, during theAmerican Civil War, after the entire Southern delegation in Congress had departed. The two nations shared very close diplomatic, economic, and military ties until the 1990s.
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:
In 1926, the Liberian government gave a concession to the American rubber companyFirestone to start the world's largest rubber plantation atHarbel, Liberia. At the same time, Firestone arranged a $5 million private loan to Liberia.[4][5]
In the 1930s Liberia was again virtually bankrupt, and, after some American pressure, agreed to an assistance plan from theLeague of Nations. As part of this plan, two key officials of the League were placed in positions to "advise" the Liberian government.[6]
Ever since President Taft, American support for Liberian independence, prosperity, and reform were priorities. The major American role was training the Liberian army, known as the Liberian Frontier Force, using elite black officers from the regular United States Army. The American presence warned away European imperial powers, defeated a series of local rebellions, and helped bring in American technology to develop the resource-rich interior. Democracy was not a high priority, as the 15,000 Americano-Liberians had full control of 750,000 locals. The Krus and Greboe tribes remained highly reluctant to accept control from Monrovia, but they were not powerful enough to overcome a regime strongly supported by the United States Army and Navy. The American officers includingCharles Young,Benjamin Davis, and others were skilled at training recruits, helping the government minimize corruption, and advocating loans from American corporations while monitoring the resulting flow of funds.[7]
During World War II, Liberia joined theAllies andMonrovia was host to important Allied logistics bases. Firestone was a large munitions supplier for the Allies.[8][9]
Liberian and United States relationships became strained between 1971 and 1980 due to Liberian presidentWilliam Tolbert's establishment of diplomatic relations with theSoviet Union and otherEastern Bloc countries.[10] In 1978, United States presidentJimmy Carter made the first official presidential visit to Liberia.[9]
The rise ofCharles Taylor's government, theLiberian Civil War, regional instability andhuman rights abuses interrupted the previously close relations between Liberia and the United States. Charles Taylor's election in 1997 was monitored by theEconomic Community of West African States and the United States officially recognized the result and the new government.[11] However, during Taylor's presidency, the United States cut direct financial and military aid to the Liberian government, withdrewPeace Corps operations, imposed a travel ban on senior Liberian Government officials, and frequently criticized Charles Taylor's government.[2][12] Much of the Liberian-American tension from this period stems from the Liberian government's acknowledged support for theRevolutionary United Front, a rebel group inSierra Leone and surrounding region.[8] Due to intense pressure from the international community and the United States, along with Liberian civic organizations like theWomen of Liberia Mass Action for Peace, Charles Taylor resigned his office on August 11, 2003.[10]
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 UNSecurity Council draft resolution to authorize the deployment of a multi-national stabilization force.[13][14] Despite stated concerns about prosecution in theInternational Criminal Court, United States presidentGeorge W. Bush sent 200marines 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.[15] The United States committed $1.16 billion to Liberia between the years of 2004 and 2006.[2][16]
TheUnited 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 theInternational Foundation for Electoral Systems as the conduit.[17] This money was meant to support the2011 general elections and 2014Senate elections.[17]
On December 18, during its quarterly meeting, the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Board of Directors designated Liberia as newly eligible to develop a compact. This decision acknowledges Liberia’s significant progress in improving its performance on the MCC scorecard and its dedication to advancing key economic and democratic governance reforms. Additionally, the Board explored new opportunities introduced by the Millennium Challenge Corporation Candidate Country Reform Act.
Principal U.S. Officials include:[18]
The U.S. Embassy is located inMonrovia.
This article incorporatespublic domain material fromU.S. Bilateral Relations Fact Sheets.United States Department of State.
{{cite journal}}:Cite journal requires|journal= (help)
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Africa |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Americas | ||
| Asia | ||
| Europe | ||
| Former | ||
| Diplomatic missions | ||
| Related topics | ||
