Christine Ann Elder Commissioned as New U.S. Ambassador to Liberia

Washington, D.C.- 6/20/16: The new Ambassador of the United States of America to Liberia, Her Excellency Christine Ann Elder, was commissioned today at an impressive and well-attended ceremony at the U.S. Department of State.

Speaking at the ceremony, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, described Liberia as the United States’ oldest traditional friend and one of America’s closest allies in South Sahara Africa.Secretary Thomas-Greenfield, who served as the United States’ first female ambassador to Liberia, underscored the tremendous progress Liberia has made since the end of its devastating civil war, especially under the leadership of Her Excellency Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Liberia and Africa’s first female democratically-elected president. Amid warm applauds, Secretary Thomas-Greenfield, reiterated U.S. commitment to support sustainable peace and progress in Liberia. She added that the U.S. will continue to be fully engaged with Liberia as the country prepares to hold presidential election in 2017, which would mark an historic peaceful transfer of power from one living president to another.

For her part, newly inducted Ambassador Elder indicated that Liberia and the United States share deep historical bonds. Ambassador Elders, who recently served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the United States Embassy in Mozambique, noted that she will deepen the relationship between the U.S. and Liberia. Ambassador Elder reaffirmed U.S. commitment to Liberia’s reconstruction, and added that she will seek to advance U.S. interest and expand U.S.-Liberia partnership.

Among those at the well-attended event at the State Department was a delegation from the Embassy of Liberia to the United States, led by Honorable Jeff G. Dowana, Acting Chief of Mission.

Contact:
Mr. Gabriel I.H. Williams
Minister Counselor for Press and Public Affairs
Embassy of the Republic of Liberia, Washington, D.C.
Email: Gabriel.Williams@liberianembassyus.org
Phone: 202-723-0437 x.119
Mobile: 240-396-7246