Liberia: Searching for Unity After 177 Years

In the buildup to Liberia’s 177th Independence anniversary, President Joseph Boakai has rallied the country’s 5.5 million population to forge unity in building a prosperous nation. Unity has been a recurring theme for many Liberian presidents since the country’s independence.

Speaking at the Islamic Intercessory Service held in Monrovia, the President emphasized the importance of unity, faith, and collective responsibility in shaping the future of the nation. He recognized the sacrifices made by Liberia’s forefathers and highlighted the need to honor their legacy by fostering a society based on justice, equality, and mutual respect.

President Boakai called upon all citizens to transcend ethnic, religious, and political differences and work together towards building a prosperous and unified Liberia. He stressed that the development of the country is a shared responsibility, urging every citizen to embrace a role in nation-building, emphasizing the significance of perseverance, compassion, and service to others.

The President expressed his gratitude to the Muslim community for their continuous support and contributions to the nation. He encouraged all Liberians to strive for a stable, peaceful, united, and prosperous Liberia, urging them to always think, love, and build Liberia.

Liberia, Africa’s oldest republic, has faced a turbulent past, including long-running civil wars in the 1990s.

Around 250,000 people were killed in Liberia’s civil wars, and many thousands more fled the fighting as the economy collapsed

Although founded by freed American and Caribbean slaves, Liberia is mostly inhabited by indigenous Africans, with the slaves’ descendants comprising 5% of the population.

The President’s call for unity and collective responsibility aims to inspire the nation to overcome its challenges and forge a brighter future.

FACTS

• Capital: Monrovia
• Area:111,370 sq km
• Population:5.5 million
• Language: English
• Life expectancy:59 years (men) 62 years (women)

TIMELINE

14th-16th Centuries – Decline of the Mali and then the Songhai empires, compounded with inland desertification, sees increased settlement in coastal areas.

15th-17th Centuries – Portuguese, Dutch, and British establish trading posts along the coast.

1816 – American Colonization Society (ACS) is formed with the aim of resettling former slaves in Africa. It believes “repatriation” is preferable to having emancipated slaves remain in the US.

1822 – ACS begins sending freed slaves voluntarily to establish a colony.

1847 – Constitution modelled on that of the US is drawn up, and Liberia becomes independent. It is politically dominated by the newly-settled incomers.

1917 – Liberia declares war on Germany, giving the Allies a base in West Africa.

1926 – Rubber production becomes backbone of Liberia’s economy after Firestone Tyre and Rubber Company opens rubber plantation on land granted by government.

1936 – Forced-labour practices abolished.

1943 – William Tubman elected president.

1951 – Women and indigenous property owners vote in the presidential election for the first time.

1958 – Racial discrimination outlawed.

1971 – Tubman dies and is succeeded by William Tolbert Jr.

1980 – Master Sergeant Samuel Doe carries out a military coup, ousting and publicly executing President Tolbert and 13 aides. Doe assumes full powers.

1984 – Doe’s regime allows return of political parties following pressure from the United States and other creditors.

1985 – Doe wins presidential election.

1989-97 – First Liberian civil war.

1989 – National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL) led by Charles Taylor begins an uprising against the government.

1990 – Doe is executed by a splinter group of the NPFL.

1996 – Peace agreement between the rival factions. Some 200,000 people are killed in the civil war.

1997 – Charles Taylor wins presidential election. He sets up a totalitarian regime, supporting rebel groups in Guinea and Sierra Leone. In return, both countries start backing anti-Taylor dissidents.

1999-2003 – Second Liberian civil war.

1999 – An anti-Charles Taylor rebel group backed by Guinea, invades northern Liberia.

2003 – Second rebel group invades southern Liberia. Major fighting for the capital, Monrovia which is besieged for two months. Taylor goes into exile. Interim government and rebels sign peace accord. Some 50,000 people die in the war, which sees the widespread use of child soldiers.

2005 – Ellen Johnson Sirleaf becomes the first woman to be elected as an African head of state.

2007 – Charles Taylor goers on trial at The Hague, accused of instigating atrocities in Sierra Leone.

2012 – Energy companies report discovery of oil off the coasts of Liberia and Sierra Leone.

2012 – Charles Taylor is found guilty of war crimes for aiding and directing rebels in Sierra Leone. He is sentenced to 50 years in jail, to be served in Britain.

2013-2016 – Outbreak of Ebola virus in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone, killing 11,300 people, almost half in Liberia.

2017 – George Weah wins presidential election, marking first peaceful transfer of power in decades.

2023 – Joseph Boakai elected President, marking second transfer of power from one democratically elected President to another.