The New Liberia: From Conflict to Recovery

Liberia's 14-year civil war left the country in ruins. Following the inauguration of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in January 2006, the country has begun the long journey to recovery. The new government has resettled tens of thousands of refugees, begun training new security forces, increased government revenues by more than 40 percent, restored electricity and water to parts of the capital, substantially increased primary school enrollment, and begun to rebuild roads and other critical infrastructure.

President Sirleaf, Africa's first elected female head of state, provided an overview of Liberia's first year and described the major challenges facing Liberia as it moves forward. She also provided a preview of her expectations for the Liberia Partner's Forum, in which Liberia will meet with its major international partners this week in Washington D.C. to describe its progress, outline its strategy for the near future, and discuss the ways in which the partners can best support Liberia's efforts towards recovery and sustained development.

The event featured: H.E. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of the Republic of Liberia with discussants Congressman Jesse L. Jackson, Jr. (D-IL) U.S. House of Representatives, Antoinette M. Sayeh Minister of Finance, The Republic of Liberia, and Steven Radelet Economic Advisor and Senior Fellow, Center for Global Development and was moderated by Nancy Birdsall President, Center for Global Development.

Read the speeches delivered by:

• H.E. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of the Republic (pdf)
• Congressman Jesse L. Jackson, Jr. (D-IL) (pdf)

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