The Government of Liberia (GOL), through the Minister of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism, Ledgerhood Rennie, has welcomed the United States of America’s renewed commitment to support progress toward transparency, accountable institutions and other tenets of good governance in the Republic of Liberia as it approaches the bicentennial of the arrival of the first freed black slaves on Providence Island, Liberia.
Minister Rennie termed the commitment as a plus for Liberia, noting that the Government of Liberia (GOL) is elated for such a demonstrable and enviable stance of confession by the government and people of the United States.
On February 4, 2022, the US House of Representatives passed Resolution 907, reaffirming its commitment to supporting Liberia and its democracy, recalling the historical significance of Liberia’s bicentennial anniversary as the country continues to build a vibrant and inclusive democracy.
The US House of Representatives acknowledged on-going efforts to address government’s corruption and other critical reforms in Liberia, and committed itself to continue to work with the Liberian government to advance the objectives of the Liberian Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) and other anti-corruption agencies and goals underpinning Liberia’s participation in the Summit for Democracies in December 2021, reaffirming that Liberia remains a beneficiary of United States trade preferences through the African Growth and Opportunity Act and the 2007 Trade and Investment Framework Agreement, both of which affirm the importance of open and diversified trade and investment between the United States and Liberia.
The resolution recognized that the Liberian people and the Liberian diaspora have contributed significantly to the United States and Liberia, and reaffirmed the longstanding transatlantic ties between the two nations, which the lawmakers said will be underscored by the Republic of Liberia’s bicentennial celebration.
The US House of Representatives, in its Resolution 907 (H. Res. 907), resolved to remain committed to nurturing the enduring ties between the people and the governments of the United States and Liberia, including through the provision of United States support for a strong civil society, reputable and accountable institutions, transparency, and other tenets of good governance that should help lay a solid foundation for presidential elections in 2023.
It encouraged Liberia to redouble its efforts to counter corruption, advance the causes of human rights, and implement critical economic reforms necessary to accelerate sustainable economic growth and human capital development.
However, the Congressmen called on the Departments of State and the Treasury to continue to impose targeted sanctions and other measures against those responsible for undermining the rule of law as well as the faith and trust of the Liberian people through the conduct of corruption, gross violations of human rights and other acts that threaten the peace and security of Liberia.
