MONROVIA – US secretary of state Hillary Clinton gave firm support in Liberia yesterday to Africa’s only woman president, a fighter against corruption who has come under fire at home.
President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf is trying to rebuild Liberia after a 1989-2003 civil war in the West African country, which was founded by freed former American slaves in the 19th century.
“President Sirleaf has been a very effective leader on behalf of the new Liberia,” Mrs Clinton said at a joint news conference. “The United States officially supports what this government is doing.
“We think that Liberia is on the right track, as difficult as the path might be.”
One of Mrs Clinton’s main messages to African countries during her seven-nation trip has been the importance of tackling corruption and improving governance as necessary steps towards attracting aid and investment. – (Reuters)
