Liberia

Some History

First Habitation, around 1100s; various peoples settle at different times

1461 to late 17th century: Portuguese, Dutch and British traders had contacts and built trading posts

In 1822, the American Colonization Society, established Liberia to "repatriate" black Americans to greater freedom in Africa

• Afro-American immigrants viewed Africa as a "Promised Land," but they did not integrate into African society, considering themselves to be Americans.

• Colonization, 1821–1847• Handing over command to Americo-

LiberiansOn July 26, 1847, Americo-Liberian settlers declared independence of the Republic of Liberia.

Joseph Jenkins Roberts, First President of Liberia.

• Americo-Liberian Rule (1847–1980)– Americo-Liberian domination over indigenous

population– government, modeled after that of the U.S.,

democratic in structure, if not always in substance

• retained its independence during the Scramble for Africa, but lost its claim to territories annexed by Britain and France.

• Weak isolated economy

• April 12, 1980, a s military coup by a group of noncommissioned army officers led by Master Sergeant Samuel Doe. – The soldiers were a mixture of the various ethnic groups that

claimed marginalization at the hands of the minority Americo-Liberian settlers.

• Samuel Doe rules with the People’s Redemption Council (1980–1989)

President Samuel K. Doe with members of his "Peoples Redemption Council

• First Liberian Civil War (1989–1996)Dictatorial atmosphere that gripped the country was due

largely to Samuel Doe's rule. Americo-Liberian Charles Taylor, invaded

• Second Liberian Civil War (1997–2003)Bloody, confused, child soldiers, atrocitiesEnded with intervention by ECOWAS and 1000 Nigerian

troops plus 100 US Marines (and potential of 2000 more)Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace, mobilize for action

and were able to achieve peace in Liberia after a 14-year civil war

Charles Taylor, now on trial for war crimes at The Hague.

• Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf elected president (2005)Stability, democracy and economic improvement 2005-2010

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

A Statistical Snap-shot of LiberiaPopulation +/- 4,000,000Life Expectancy 46 years

GDP per capita (PPP) $US 280

GDP Rank #208

Population living on <$US1.25 per day

83.7%

GDP Growth, 1990-2000 -5.0 % per annum

GDP Growth, 2000-2007 + 11.2% per annum

Human Development Index 0.336#177 of 177

• Economy:- Subsistence agricultural based

Grinding sugar cane manually

– Firestone rubber plantations since the 1930s – Liberia has one of the world's largest national

registries of ships, due to its status as a "flag of convenience“ (1,700 vessels registered )

– Major iron ore producer– Informal sector alluvial diamond production

Rubber Plantaion

Informal Sector Diamond Mining

Informal Sector Diamond Mining