Foreign relations of Liberia

Liberia has maintained traditionally cordial relations with the West. Liberia currently maintains diplomatic relations with Libya, Cuba, and the Republic of China (on Taiwan). Neighboring Guinea and Sierra Leone have accused Liberia of backing rebels who have devastated their countries.

Liberia is a founding member of the United Nations and its specialized agencies and is a member of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), African Development Bank (ADB), Mano River Union[?] (MRU) and the Non-Aligned Movement.

Relationships between Liberia and the United States
U.S. relations with Liberia date back to the 1820s when the first group of settlers arrived in Liberia from the United States. U.S.-Liberia relations which have been very cordial since independence are, as of 2002, strained. The United States had been Liberia's closest ally but a 7-year civil war (1989-96), regional stability, perceived human rights abuses, and various governance problems have led to the souring of relations between the two countries. The United States imposed a travel ban on senior Liberian Government officials because of the government's support to the RUF.

During the 1980s, the United States donated hundreds of millions of dollars toward the development of Liberia. The United States also donated hundreds of tons of rice--staple of Liberians--through its PL-480 program. At the moment, the United States is the largest donor of relief aid to Liberia. But this assistance is channeled through the United Nations and other international aid and relief agencies working in the country.

Disputes - international: none

Illicit drugs: increasingly a transshipment point for Southeast and Southwest Asian heroin and South American cocaine for the European and US markets

See also : Liberia