Monrovia — Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, is visiting Liberia and Sierra Leone, following a stopover in Guinea Bissau. In Monrovia, the place she results in U.S. delegation to the Inauguration of Joseph Boakai, she was interviewed by AllAfrica’s Boakai Fofana.
Why is that this journey essential? What’s the significance to the USA – and to you, particularly – having served as ambassador right here?
Nicely, first, for the USA, Liberia is an extended historic accomplice and ally of the USA. Our histories are intertwined with one another” – “The Good, the Unhealthy, and The Ugly” – and there was loads of unhealthy and ugly throughout Liberia’s civil warfare. We actually labored to assist Liberia come out of that warfare and to heal from that warfare. Having Liberia right now [as] the instance in West Africa – what a easy transition can seem like – I believe could be very, very highly effective. Having this inauguration is extraordinary! We’re happy with what the Liberians have been capable of accomplish as a rustic. You continue to have an extended solution to go. I am not ignoring that there are points that also should be addressed. However you are an instance for West Africa. We needed to be a part of this because the U.S. authorities.
Liberia has an extended solution to go, however this second is exhilarating.
For me personally, having served right here because the ambassador, having lived right here within the Nineteen Seventies, I’ve an extended historical past with this nation. So I used to be actually, actually honored when President Biden requested that I lead this delegation. It is a proud second. I am actually exhilarated to be right here – and happy with what Liberians have completed.
You discuss about Liberia for instance within the area. However there was loads of democratic backsliding with some international locations. What could be the message in mild of what’s occurring in Liberia right now to different nations?
Nicely, one is different nations ought to have a look at Liberia. Liberia is an instance – a rustic having come out of warfare, and but nonetheless capable of have a democratic election and a transition of energy to an opposition social gathering. That is what all international locations need. Individuals are not voting for army governments; they don’t seem to be voting for coup d’etats. They don’t seem to be voting for warfare. They’re voting for peace. They’re voting for alternative. And so they’re voting to see their democracy ship to their folks.
Nations need peace and alternative.
Expectations of the Liberian folks of President Boakai, shall be very, very excessive. Managing these expectations shall be terribly tough. However I believe you are on a path in Liberia that different international locations ought to attempt to emulate.
With this administration, do you anticipate to see a rise U.S. assist?
We have by no means diminished our assist for Liberia. As a result of we do see Liberia as a accomplice. And we see Liberia is pal. There have been occasions when that friendship has been tough, in fact: when Liberia was in warfare, when the federal government is just not delivering to its folks, once we see corruption rampant.
One factor I believe former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf can inform you, one of many issues that I dedicated to doing once I was ambassador right here, was at all times to inform her the reality. That is what buddies do. We’ll proceed to work with this authorities. We’ll be the reality sayer to this authorities. We’ll be the harshest critic of this authorities. As a result of that is what buddies do for one another. It is constructive criticism, and it’s an effort to assist Liberia prosper.
From right here you are occurring to Sierre Leone. You’ve got been to Guinea Bissau earlier than then. What’s your message to them?
The message is to proceed to encourage these international locations to remain on the democratic path. The assembly that I had in Guinea Bissau with President [Umaro Sissoco] Embalo, who I’ve identified for a lot of, a few years, was a dialog to reaffirm our alliance, our dedication, our friendship and to speak about a few of the points that he’s addressing. There have been two coup makes an attempt in Guinea Bissau, as you understand, and we needed to encourage him to remain on a democratic path.
As a Safety Council member, Sierra Leone performs a job on the world stage.
Sierra Leone is totally different. They’re one of many A3 – the three elected African international locations on the United Nations Safety Council. So they’re enjoying a big position each within the continent of Africa, however on the world stage as nicely. And so my go to there’s a session with a fellow Safety Council member to speak concerning the points that we’ll be addressing within the Safety Council.
Your go to to west Africa coincides with that of Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Does that mirror, within the aftermath of the U.S. Africa Leaders Summit a 12 months in the past, a rise in relations with the continent? There’s been some issues that Africa has been pushed apart because of the crises in Ukraine and Israel.
You realize, we are able to chew gum and stroll on the similar time! We have now by no means diminished our dedication to the African continent. The [U.S.] President dedicated in the course of the African Leaders Summit that we have been going to be recurrently visiting the continent throughout the board. The truth that there are two cupboard officers on the continent proper now, Secretary Blinken and myself, is important. We additionally had a delegation to Democratic Republic of Congo’s inauguration. So, really, there have been three missions on the continent [in the past week].
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There have been three high-level U.S. delegations in Africa up to now week.
However we have had common engagements throughout the continent over the course of this administration. Definitely, we glance to proceed that engagement. Africa is essential. Africa is on the leading edge of what’s occurring sooner or later, as we cope with points associated to local weather change, as we handled a pandemic that had a devastating influence. Africa’s inhabitants is rising at a unprecedented fee. You will have a really youthful inhabitants. The median age is nineteen.
Africa can’t be ignored. We ignore Africa to our personal peril. And we’re not going to try this. We’re dedicated to the folks of Africa. We’re dedicated to this continent, and we need to see Africa proceed to prosper.
