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| Africa Subsaharan |
| Liberia Swears in Sirleaf |
| 2006-01-16 |
| Ellen Johnson Sirleaf pledged a "fundamental break" with Liberia's violent past as she was sworn in Monday as president, carving her name into history as Africa's first elected female head of state. Who'da ever thunkit, back when we were watching Chuck ooze from office? Wearing a traditional African headdress, Sirleaf took the oath of office in a ceremony attended by thousands of Liberians and scores of foreign dignitaries, including first lady Laura Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. "We know that your vote was a vote for change, a vote for peace, security ... and we have heard you loudly," Sirleaf said in her inaugural speech. "We recognize this change is not a change for change's sake, but a fundamental break with the past, therefore requiring that we take a bold and decisive steps to address the problems that have for decades stunted our progress." |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #3 Moose, Liberia never was a US colony. It was founded as a colony by a private organization in the US--the American Colonization Society--but wasn't supported or endorsed by the government. Racism certainly played a role in our lack of support for the country (that's plain from the records), but I suspect that "Not Invented Here" was a factor too. |
| Posted by: James 2006-01-16 17:28 |
| #2 because there is no "finishing". Look at the formerly s"successful" African sates, most of which inherited colonial systems/infrastructure/wealth/education ....they all seem to be backsliding into anarchy and tribal feuds (with a taste of Islamic dominion thrown in to spoil what's left).... I'm so cynical about Africa, because they continually lower the expectations |
| Posted by: Frank G 2006-01-16 17:04 |
| #1 I hope things work out better for her than her predecessors. Liberia is perhaps the oldest mistake made by the United States still in existence. Started as a grand idea, the restoration of slaves to Africa, introduced along with democracy. Soon it became not only a bastard child, but an abandoned and neglected one, too. It was perhaps our first, and worst, effort at "nation building", and until, someday, when Liberia can live in peace, real democracy and freedom, it will haunt us. It remains a mystery why no US President has ever taken it upon himself to finish what we started there so long ago. |
| Posted by: Anonymoose 2006-01-16 15:38 |