Pontus Edenberg/Hemera/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) — President Obama on Thursday signed an executive order lifting economic sanctions against Liberia, praising the African nation’s emergence from civil war and its efforts in combating the West African Ebola outbreak.
In a statement, National Security Council Spokesperson Ned Price said that the commander in chief “congratulates the people of Liberia for their determination, ingenuity, and commitment to peace and democracy that has made this possible.” Obama ended a national emergency declared with regards to Liberia in 2004 and lifted the resulting economic sanctions.
“Liberia has worked to overcome not only the scars of war but also the challenge of responding to an unprecedented outbreak of Ebola at a time when Liberians were in the middle of the vital work of consolidating democracy, building their economy, investing in infrastructure, and strengthening their security services,” Price noted. While more work remains for Liberia, the NSC statement notes anticipated transfer of security responsibility from the United Nations Mission to the country itself next summer and expected presidential elections in 2017.
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