(MONROVIA, LIBERIA – Thursday, July 3, 2014) President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf says government remains committed to a leadership of transformation in which every Liberian will give more, not less, and that the next generation will be better than the previous, considering that all Liberians bear the scars that freedom and democracy can inflict.
“After our country’s years of turbulence, we, in Liberia, have renewed our own journey to freedom, liberty, democracy and prosperity. The strong examples of America’s travel to greatness are not lost upon us. We know that if we are to succeed, we must remain courageous to do what is right not just for ourselves but for posterity,” she stressed.
According to an Executive Mansion release, the Liberian leader making the assertion at the 238th Independence Anniversary reception of the United States of America held at the Executive Pavilion on July 3, said Liberians must sacrifice – perhaps not with blood, but with sweat – to make the change possible.
She emphasized that over the course of 150 years of bilateral relations, Liberia and the United States remain bonded by deep ties of friendship, partnership and kinship and together, they have taken extraordinary steps in strengthening the bonds through partnership dialogues and other initiatives that are mutually beneficial to both countries. “We recommit ourselves to continue to explore avenues for greater cooperation and collaboration,” the Liberian President reiterated.
President Sirleaf citied the upcoming US-Africa Leaders Summit, hosted by President Barack Obama, to which Liberia has been invited.
Touching on other areas of cooperation and assistance that the country continues to benefit, the Liberian leader named security, accountability, health, education, agriculture, and human capacity development. “We applaud the contributions of the Peace Corps Volunteers and their support of the Twinning Program which is providing young Liberian graduates the opportunity to work with Volunteers in teaching assignments across the country,” she noted, adding government has already begun to see the results of these efforts.
President Sirleaf also cited the US Government’s recent assistance when the Liberian Government undertook the first rotation of its troops deployed in the African-led International Support Mission to Mali (AFISMA). “We are proud of the quality of the services provided by our soldiers, and remain grateful to the U.S. for the training and other logistical support which not only made the mission possible, but also enabled an important transformation of our country from being widely considered an exporter of war to an exporter of peace.” In her statement, U.S. Ambassador Deborah Malac acknowledged the progress being made by the administration of the President Sirleaf, but indicated that much more needs to be done.
Ambassador Malac emphasized by the Liberian Government’s commitment to the country’s reconstruction, the United States will continue to celebrate the long and enduring partnership with Liberia which she said has manifested in small and large engagements towards Liberia’s reconstruction.
She named some of the interventions as the U.S. - Liberia Partnership Dialogue, Liberia’s eligibility for the Millennium Challenge Corporation, Liberia’s selection as one of the six African countries to benefit from the U.S. Power Africa Initiative and the training of the new AFL, among others.
Ambassador Malac reminded Liberians that in order to build sustainable, broad based development and true economic prosperity, it will require sustained commitment and patience. “We all know that there is much more to be done to deliver the promise and benefits of peace and prosperity to all Liberians. We all must renew our commitment to work together to achieve the promise,” she urged.
The U.S. Ambassador told Liberians that while the U.S. works with Liberia to build a country that is at peace with itself and its neighbors, Liberians will have to exercise patience; especially for a country coming out of war.
She pointed out that building a brighter future is not an easy task and does not always mean that there should be complete agreement on every policy decision, but an alternative view can also drive a possible solution especially if it’s done constructively marked by civility and respect .Click here to read the full text of the President's remarks. ====>>
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