On Saturday July 26, Liberians will celebrate the 178th independence anniversary of their country of 5.5 million people. In those years the people of this oldest African Republic have had a period of agony and joy under autocrats and dictators; hopelessness under warlords and tyrants.
Ahead of Saturday’s events, President Joseph Boakai is calling for unity and responsibility amongst Liberians.
Speaking during a Thanksgiving and Intercessory Prayer Service held at the Unity Foundation Mosque in Sinkor, the President questioned Liberia’s current state of development despite its long history as Africa’s first republic.
“Why should we go to a 70-year-old nation for better living when we are almost 178 years old?” he said, drawing a striking comparison between Liberia’s age and the challenges faced by its people.
“We must stop blaming others and take full responsibility for our destiny,” he said, telling the nation that peace, prayer, and active participation are key to genuine national transformation.
As Liberia celebrates its 178th independence anniversary on July 26, it reflects on a complex history marked by both promising peaks and devastating lows.
From its roots as Africa’s first republic to a contemporary status as an aid-seeking nation, Liberia’s evolution from prosperity to crisis helps illuminate the dynamics of governance, civil strife, and international relations.
A Beacon of Hope: The Formative Years
Founded in 1847 by freed American and Caribbean slaves, Liberia emerged with aspirations of democracy and self-governance. Unlike many African nations that would later gain independence, Liberia was established with formal governance structures, evolving into a unique African experiment in democracy.
This initial optimism peaked significantly during the mid-20th century, particularly during World War II. Notably, the country became an essential ally to the United States, offering strategic resources like rubber, leading to significant infrastructural developments including road networks and an international airport.
During this period, President William V.S. Tubman’s leadership helped to position Liberia as an active member of international affairs, highlighted by its involvement in the establishment of the United Nations and the Organization of African Unity.
However, beneath this veneer of prosperity, structural inequalities simmered, as indigenous populations remained marginalized compared to the Americo-Liberians who governed.
Civil Wars and Governance Collapse
The subsequent decades marked a sharp decline for Liberia, characterized by political upheaval and economic hardship.
President Tubman’s death in 1971 heralded a tumultuous era, culminating in the brutal overthrow of President William R. Tolbert in 1980 by Samuel K. Doe. The promise of democratic reforms soon dissolved into years of dictatorship, civil unrest, and violent factional conflicts.
The 1990s were particularly devastating as Liberia plunged into civil wars that left approximately 250,000 dead and displaced hundreds of thousands. Dominated by warlords and fueled by regional tensions, the conflicts eroded the fabric of Liberian society, precipitating widespread humanitarian crises.
President Charles Taylor’s rise and subsequent indictment for war crimes in Sierra Leone added another layer of international scrutiny to Liberia’s already fraught existence.
A Decade of Recovery: Slowly Rebuilding
The end of the civil wars in 2003 marked the beginning of a long, precarious recovery. Peacekeeping missions and international support sought to stabilize the nation, leading to the election of Africa’s first female president, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, in 2006.
Under her leadership, Liberia experienced relative stability and significant international aid aimed at rebuilding its shattered infrastructures and institutions. However, pervasive poverty and the legacy of civil war continued to hinder progress.
Even as Liberia’s governance structures gradually improved, marked differences between urban and rural areas persisted, and many citizens still struggled under the weight of poverty and unemployment. The Ebola outbreak in 2014 further tested the nation’s resilience, revealing deep-rooted systemic vulnerabilities and leading to a renewed call for a coordinated health strategy.
As the nation celebrates its 178th anniversary, current President Joseph Boakai emphasizes unity and responsibility among Liberians. “Why should we go to a 70-year-old nation for better living when we are almost 178 years old?” he questions, urging citizens to embrace their collective destiny and abandon a cycle of blame that has perpetuated stagnation.
Acknowledging a history fraught with external and internal challenges, his rhetoric resonates with the desire for a renewed national identity. By fostering peace and active participation, Boakai’s message seeks to inspire hope that could steer Liberia toward a future characterized by resilience and self-sufficiency.
In retrospect, the trajectory of Liberia serves as a powerful reminder of the struggles that accompany nation-building. From early independence and the modern struggle against various forms of oppression, the nation’s path underscores the importance of unity, active citizenship, and a commitment to rebuilding trust in institutions.
As Liberia stands on the threshold of another year, its people are reminded that the profound journey from a global world actor to an aid-seeking nation is not merely a tale of misfortune, but also one of undying hope and potential for renewal.
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, ushering another peaceful transfer of power
