Liberia
Republic of Liberia
Population
5.4M
GDP
$4.0B
Capital
Monrovia
Government
Unitary presidential constit...
At a Glance
Human Development
0.5
HDI (0-1)
Democracy
5.2
EIU (0-10)
Press Freedom
—
RSF score
Corruption
—
TI CPI (0-100)
Innovation
—
GII score
Happiness
—
WHR (0-10)
Liberia is Africa's oldest republic, founded in 1847 by freed American slaves. It has a unique historical relationship with the United States and was a founding member of the United Nations. Two devastating civil wars (1989-2003) killed approximately 250,000 people and destroyed the country's infrastructure.
Post-war Liberia, under Ellen Johnson Sirleaf -- Africa's first elected female head of state -- made significant progress in peacebuilding and democratic consolidation. The country survived the 2014-2015 Ebola crisis and has continued its democratic trajectory under President Joseph Boakai. However, poverty, corruption, and weak institutions remain pervasive challenges.
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As Liberia, draw on your unique history as a bridge between Africa and the Americas. Emphasize your founding membership in the UN and your post-conflict recovery experience. Advocate for peacebuilding, transitional justice, and sustained international support for post-conflict states.
Ally with the United States (your most important bilateral partner), Sierra Leone, and Ghana. In ECOWAS, support democratic norms and collective security. On development, push for debt relief, anti-corruption measures, and investment in human capital. Your Ebola experience gives you credibility on global health preparedness -- use it to advocate for stronger health systems.
Foreign Policy
Liberia maintains a special relationship with the United States, rooted in its founding history. It is a strong supporter of ECOWAS and the UN, having been both a recipient and contributor to peacekeeping operations. The UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) was one of the largest peacekeeping operations in UN history.
Monrovia advocates for post-conflict recovery support, democratic governance, and the rights of war-affected populations. Liberia is a member of the Mano River Union with Guinea and Sierra Leone.