SOURCE: Liberian News Agency (LINA)
By Ibrahim A. Sherif
MONROVIA (LINA) – President George M. Weah has received an invite from the President of the United of America, His Excellency, Joseph R. Biden to attend a Planned U.S. Summit later this year.
It can be recalled that President Biden announced that the United States of America will bring together leaders from across Africa for a major summit in December in Washington, to discuss key issues ranging from food security to climate change.
According to the American leader, the summit will demonstrate the United States’ enduring commitment to Africa, and will underscore the importance of U.S.-Africa relations and increased cooperation on shared global priorities.
Delivering a special remarks on the commemoration of Liberia’s 175th Independence Day Anniversary in Monrovia, the United States of America Ambassador accredited near Monrovia, His Excellency, Michael McCarthy conveyed the request by President Biden for President George M. Weah to attend the scheduled December Biden Summit in Washington.
“Mr. President, in wrapping up this momentous year, President Joseph R. Biden will be honored if you will end the year by attending his U.S. Africa leadership Summit in Washington DC,” Ambassador McCarthy noted.
The American envoy asserted that the United States of America has always been a proud partner and supporter of the Liberians people, citing “Liberia’s success is our own success”.
Ambassador McCarthy expressed delight to be present at the 175th Independence Day celebration of Liberia, terming the commemoration as an important Anniversary.
He added that the day is a notable day not only in the history of Liberia and the United States but truly to all of Africa as the continent’s first ever independent Republic.
“From its inception on this continent, Liberia represented something new and hopeful just like America from which it springs, representing something new and hopeful on the American continent,” the American emissary said.
Adding: “This reality was captured in Abraham’s Lincoln’ most famous speech, the Gettysburg Address.
In November 1863 he said, this begins with those famous words, “four scores and seven years ago, our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the preposition that all men are created equal”.
The American Diplomat emphasized that like America, Liberia was conceived in liberty and like America, Liberia struggled to make that equality of all men a reality throughout the decades, which saw both countries progressed in their struggle to embody ‘these words, and become safe havens for all people.’
The American envoy said President Lincoln’s words served as a reminder that democracy is a constant struggle towards the most perfect union, it is never a given, and it can never be taken for granted.
“We have to remind ourselves that democracy is more than just a word written in the constitution, or norms in traditions but it requires care and constant renewals and leaders should understand that their actions and words matter in maintaining a democratic society,” Ambassador McCarthy emphasized.
However, he pointed out that the gathering is taking place at a time when democratic norms are derailing around the world, averring that such challenges also represent opportunities.
“Just as America continues to fight back in response to challenges to our democracy, Liberia continues to set an important example of democracy in Africa,” he stated.
He maintained that what is said and done by leaders matter a lot and that those words or actions make a difference.
“A deep understanding of these ideas that founded Liberia has inspired Liberia’s courageous stand against Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified barbaric attack on Ukraine,” Ambassador McCarthy underscored.
He stated that Liberia’s civil war experience left an unshakable appreciation for human rights and Liberia’s consistent stand against oppression around the globe.
He recalled 175 years ago, in 1847, Liberia declared itself an independent Republic under the American Colonization Society and 15 years later, at the request of President Abraham Lincoln, the United States Congress established diplomatic relations with Liberia.
He revealed that in the next sense, the two countries (Liberia and the United States of America) are commemorating three anniversaries, this year, which include the anniversary of the arrival of the first black Americans in Liberia, on January 7, 1822, the 175th anniversary of Liberia’s establishment as an independent Republic and the 160th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Ambassador McCarthy said in honor of these three occasions, the US Embassy in Monrovia has dedicated this year to acknowledging and celebrating these historic milestones starting with January celebration at Providence Island that marks the opening of the commemoration.
In addition, he recalled that in February, a Presidential Delegation set by President Biden led by National Security Council Director for Africa; Dana Banks attended the Bicentennial commemoration at the Samuel K. Doe Sports Complex in Paynesville.
“And surely thereafter, the enthusiastic participation of the chairman of the United States House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Chair and several members of the United States Congressional black caucus,” McCarthy recounted.
He asserted that the Congressional delegation visited Providence Island and had the privilege of viewing the originals of the Liberian constitution and the declaration of independence.
Also, he stated that in commemoration of the milestone year where the United States of America and Liberia are celebrating three milestone achievements, both countries have also witnessed several historic achievements.
He named the bestowing of the Confidential International Woman of Courage Award on Facia Harris, a Liberian for the first time by the US. State Department as one of the several achievements by both countries this year.
McCarthy said Madam Harris was awarded for her outstanding contribution towards women empowerment in Liberia.
“Then just last week, the US Secretary of State, personally presented a trafficking in persons report hero award to Judge Cornelius Wennah. He was also the first Liberia to be honored,” the American envoy cited.
The invitation extended to President Weah to attend the Biden’s Leadership summit in the U.S. is a clear manifestation of the gains that the Weah led government has made in upholding democratic tenets.
The invite also signifies strong support of the U.S. Government towards the Government and people of Liberia.
LINA IAS/WSG