Liberiaportal |
Liberian foreign relations were traditionally stable and cordial throughout much of the 19th and 20th centuries, with a significant relationship with the United States, sharing close relations until the 1970s. [1] [2] [ citation needed ]
During the 1990s, Charles Taylor's presidency and the First and Second Liberian Civil Wars underscored Liberian relations with the Western world, the People's Republic of China, and its neighboring countries in Western Africa.[ citation needed ]
Stabilization in the 21st century brought a return to cordial relations with neighboring countries and much of the Western world. Liberia holds diplomatic relations with many western nations, including its long time partner the United States, as well as Russia, Cuba, and the People's Republic of China.
List of countries which Liberia maintains diplomatic relations with:
# | Country | Date |
---|---|---|
1 | United Kingdom | 1 August 1849 [3] |
2 | France | 20 April 1852 [4] |
3 | United States | 23 February 1864 [5] |
4 | Belgium | 5 June 1867 [6] |
— | Holy See | 15 December 1927 [7] |
5 | Chile | 19 July 1945 [8] |
6 | Netherlands | 3 May 1949 [9] |
7 | Spain | 15 May 1950 [10] |
8 | Lebanon | 1 January 1951 [11] |
9 | Italy | 5 October 1951 [12] |
10 | Haiti | 29 June 1952 [13] |
11 | Germany | 23 July 1953 [14] |
12 | Ghana | June 1957 [15] |
13 | Israel | 22 August 1957 [16] |
14 | Tunisia | 1957 [17] |
15 | Sweden | 6 June 1958 [18] |
16 | Egypt | 11 June 1958 [19] |
17 | Turkey | 1 August 1958 [20] |
18 | Dominican Republic | 18 December 1958 [21] |
19 | Ethiopia | 1958 [22] |
20 | Guinea | 6 March 1959 [23] |
21 | Serbia | 15 September 1959 [24] |
— | Sovereign Military Order of Malta | 1959 [25] |
22 | Argentina | 8 January 1960 [26] |
23 | Morocco | 5 April 1960 [27] |
24 | Democratic Republic of the Congo | 30 June 1960 [28] |
25 | India | 7 July 1960 [29] |
26 | Switzerland | 19 July 1960 [30] |
27 | Togo | 29 July 1960 [31] |
28 | Nigeria | 1 October 1960 [32] |
29 | Mali | 14 October 1960 [33] |
30 | Cameroon | 23 November 1960 [34] |
31 | Luxembourg | 20 January 1961 [35] |
32 | Ivory Coast | 31 July 1961 [36] |
33 | Japan | September 1961 [37] |
34 | Sierra Leone | 8 June 1962 [38] |
35 | Sudan | 8 August 1962 [39] |
36 | Senegal | 1962 [40] |
37 | Austria | 25 June 1963 [41] |
38 | Denmark | 11 July 1963 [42] |
39 | Benin | 1963 [43] |
40 | Burkina Faso | 1963 [43] |
41 | Niger | 1963 [43] |
42 | South Korea | 18 March 1964 [44] |
43 | Kenya | 21 May 1964 [45] |
44 | Norway | 17 February 1965 [46] |
45 | Venezuela | 16 March 1965 [47] |
46 | Gambia | 3 November 1965 [48] |
47 | Trinidad and Tobago | 6 December 1965 [49] |
48 | Indonesia | 1965 [50] |
49 | Tanzania | 27 May 1966 [51] |
50 | Thailand | 2 February 1967 [52] |
51 | Mauritania | 13 March 1967 [53] |
52 | Uganda | 5 April 1967 [54] |
53 | Pakistan | 1969 [55] [56] |
54 | Finland | 24 March 1970 [57] |
55 | Central African Republic | 5 May 1970 [58] |
56 | Canada | 24 February 1971 [59] |
57 | Algeria | 31 December 1971 [60] |
58 | Kuwait | 1971 [61] |
59 | Zambia | 3 April 1972 [62] |
60 | Romania | 30 April 1972 [63] |
61 | Russia | 7 June 1972 [64] |
62 | Poland | 30 May 1973 [65] |
63 | Czech Republic | 15 October 1973 [66] |
64 | North Korea | 20 December 1973 [67] |
65 | Guinea-Bissau | 20 February 1974 [68] |
66 | Saudi Arabia | 30 March 1974 [69] |
67 | Libya | 1 April 1974 [70] |
68 | Cuba | 19 April 1974 [71] |
69 | Philippines | 20 May 1974 [72] |
70 | Greece | 29 May 1974 [73] |
71 | Lesotho | 4 July 1974 [74] |
72 | Bulgaria | 1 November 1974 [75] |
73 | Guyana | 11 November 1974 [76] |
74 | Portugal | 19 March 1975 [77] |
75 | Iran | 2 June 1975 [78] |
76 | Gabon | 17 June 1975 [79] |
77 | Cape Verde | 27 July 1975 [80] |
78 | Mongolia | 23 April 1976 [81] |
79 | Brazil | 8 June 1976 [82] |
80 | Mexico | 22 June 1976 [83] |
81 | Hungary | 15 July 1976 [84] |
82 | China | 17 February 1977 [85] |
83 | Ecuador | 31 March 1980 [86] |
84 | Equatorial Guinea | 1980 [87] |
85 | Iraq | 1980 [87] |
86 | Somalia | 1980 [87] |
87 | Zimbabwe | 15 October 1982 [88] |
88 | Singapore | 7 January 1987 [89] |
89 | Colombia | 28 September 1988 [86] |
90 | Namibia | 28 April 1990 [90] |
91 | Slovenia | 30 March 1993 [91] |
92 | Azerbaijan | 22 May 1996 [92] |
93 | South Africa | 10 January 1997 [93] |
94 | Malaysia | 1997 [94] |
95 | Slovakia | 6 March 1998 [86] |
96 | Ukraine | 24 September 1998 [86] |
97 | Costa Rica | Before 1999 [12] |
98 | Cyprus | 30 November 2000 [86] |
99 | Ireland | 2004 [95] |
100 | Iceland | 28 November 2006 [86] |
101 | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | 2 May 2007 [86] |
102 | Uruguay | 1 June 2007 [86] |
103 | Estonia | 28 June 2007 [96] |
104 | Jordan | 10 December 2007 [97] |
105 | Malta | 20 May 2008 [86] |
106 | Australia | 26 September 2008 [86] |
107 | Mozambique | 17 December 2008 [98] |
108 | Malawi | 26 February 2009 [99] |
109 | United Arab Emirates | 6 May 2009 [100] |
110 | Sri Lanka | 17 July 2009 [101] |
111 | Qatar | 3 November 2009 [102] |
112 | Angola | 3 December 2009 [103] |
113 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 23 February 2010 [86] |
114 | Georgia | 4 March 2010 [86] |
115 | Botswana | 21 September 2010 [104] |
116 | Tuvalu | 28 August 2012 [105] |
— | Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (suspended) [106] | 30 October 2012 or before [107] |
117 | Fiji | 15 November 2012 [86] |
118 | Montenegro | 4 April 2014 [86] |
119 | Latvia | 10 April 2014 [86] |
120 | Lithuania | 23 April 2014 [86] |
121 | New Zealand | 26 August 2014 [108] |
122 | Belarus | 27 April 2016 [86] |
123 | Kazakhstan | 27 April 2016 [86] |
124 | Kyrgyzstan | 17 June 2016 [109] |
125 | Vietnam | 28 June 2016 [110] |
126 | Laos | 12 August 2016 [111] |
127 | Myanmar | 5 May 2017 [112] |
128 | Rwanda | 16 May 2017 [113] |
129 | Nepal | 17 August 2017 [86] |
130 | Armenia | 22 September 2017 [114] |
— | Kosovo | 27 May 2018 [115] |
131 | Burundi | 22 January 2020 [116] |
132 | Tajikistan | 21 September 2022 [86] |
133 | Jamaica | 22 September 2022 [86] |
134 | Barbados | 27 February 2024 [117] |
135 | Bahrain | 26 September 2024 [86] |
136 | Croatia | 26 September 2024 [86] |
137 | Uzbekistan | 26 September 2024 [118] |
138 | Chad | Unknown |
139 | Republic of the Congo | Unknown |
140 | Eswatini | Unknown |
Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
---|---|---|
Algeria | 31 December 1971 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 31 December 1971 when Algeria established first Mission and first Algerian Ambassador Mr. Zitouni Messaoudi presented his credentials to President of Liberia. [60] |
Belgium | 5 June 1867 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 5 June 1867 when has been appointed Chargé d'Affaires of Liberia to Belgium (resident in Paris) M. le vicomte de Fleury. [6] |
Benin | 1963 | Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1963 when M. Pierre Cofi, the Ambassador of the Ivory Coast has presented his Letters of credence to President Tubman, from the Presidents of Republics of the Upper Volta, Niger and Dahomey, accrediting him Ambassador of the free states to the Republic of Liberia. [43] |
Botswana | 21 September 2010 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 21 September 2010 whe Ambassador of Liberia to Botswana Mr. Lois Lewis Brutus presented his credentials to President Seretse Khama. [104] |
Cameroon | 23 November 1960 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 23 November 1960 when open Embassy of Cameroon in Monrovia. [34] |
China | 17 February 1977 | See China–Liberia relations Relations between the People's Republic of China (PRC) and Liberia have been broken and reestablished several times since February 17, 1977, when diplomatic relations between the PRC and Liberia were first formed. [119] The PRC broke off relations with Liberia on October 10, 1989, in response to Liberia's recognition of the Republic of China (Taiwan). [120] Taiwan had offered $200 million in aid to Liberia for education and infrastructure in exchange for this recognition. The PRC reestablished relations with Liberia on August 10, 1993, and opened an embassy in Monrovia, making Liberia one of the few nations with established diplomatic ties to both the PRC and ROC. [121] In 1997, Charles Taylor's government proclaimed to recognize "two Chinas" and the PRC subsequently severed diplomatic relations. [122] Liberia dropped diplomatic relations with the ROC on October 12, 2003, and reestablished ties with the People's Republic of China. [123] This move was seen largely as a result of the PRC's lobbying in the UN and plans to deploy a peacekeeping force in Liberia. [124] |
Cote d'Ivoire | 31 July 1961 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 31 July 1961 [36]
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Denmark | 31 December 1861 [125] [126] 25 July 1963 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 25 July 1963 when was accredited first Ambassador of Denmark to Liberia (resident in Accra) Mr. Hans Adolf Biering [127] |
Egypt | 11 June 1958 | Both countries established diplomatic relations and exchange diplomatic representations at ambassadorial level on 11 June 1958. [19] |
Equatorial Guinea | 1980 | Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1980 when has been accredited ambassador of Equatorial Guinea to Liberia, residing in Lagos M. Jose Walterio Okori Dougan. [87] |
Ethiopia | 1958 | Both countries have agreed to exchange diplomatic missions at Embassy level in 1958. [22] |
Finland |
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France | 20 April 1852 | See France–Liberia relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 20 April 1852 [4] |
Gambia | 3 November 1965 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 3 November 1965 when has been accredited Ambassador of Liberia to Gambia Mr. R. Francis Okai (Jnr.). [48] |
Germany | 23 July 1953 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 23 July 1953 [14] |
Ghana | June 1957 | Both countries established diplomatic relations in June 1957 when M. Abraham Benjamin Bah Kofi, Ghanaian Charge d'Affaires to Liberia presented his credentials to President Tubman. [15] |
Guinea | 6 March 1959 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 6 March 1959 when Mr. Edward Peal, the Liberian Ambassador to the Republic of Guinea, presented his credentials to President S. Toure. [23] The First Liberian Civil War, instigated by Charles Taylor and the National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL) on December 24, 1989, eventually spread to neighboring Sierra Leone in 1991 when dissidents of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF), led by Foday Sankoh, began using Liberia as a staging ground for NPFL backed military assaults on border towns in Sierra Leone. [130] [131] [132] By 1992, 120,000 people had fled from Sierra Leone to Guinea due to the RUF's practice of targeting civilians. In 2001, Liberian forces along with the RUF began attacking and burning refugee camps and Guinean villages along the border. In an inflammatory speech the Guinean president Lansana Conté, blamed the refugees for the border destabilization and alleged that the vast majority of refugees were rebels. [130] He called for the Guinean population to defend its nation. This call precipitated attacks, beatings, rapes, and abductions of refugees by Guinean police and military forces. This reversal of Guinea's previously open policy towards refugees, further escalated the refugee crisis as refugees attempted to cross back through RUF territory. [131] By 2002, the United Nations estimated that three million people, or one in five people of the Mano River Union countries, were displaced. [132] [133]
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Haiti | 29 June 1952 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 29 June 1952. [13] |
India | 7 July 1960 | See India–Liberia relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 7 July 1960 [29] Indian-Liberian relations have traditionally been strong and cordial with Liberia's full-fledged support for India's stand on Kashmir and India's aspiration for permanent membership on the United Nations Security Council. In recent years, both nations have developed close and extensive cooperation in trade, military and strategic fields. Amidst India's growing role in Liberia, the Liberian Minister of Mines and Energy, Dr. Eugene Shannon visited India in October 2005 to participate in the Confederation of Indian Industry-Africa Conclave. In 2008, the President of Liberia Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was invited to visit India. [135] Major items of Indian exports include engineering goods, pharmaceuticals, two wheelers, transportation equipment, steel and plastic products. Major items of imports are gold, diamonds, timber and metal scrap. Following lifting of United Nations sanctions, timber concessions have been awarded to Indian firms. Overall, Indian investments in Liberia have been increased from US$450 million in 2005 to an estimated $2 billion in 2009. |
Iran | 2 June 1975 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 2 June 1975 [78] In 2023, an Iranian drone struck the Liberian flagged chemical tanker Chem Pluto. [138] [139] |
Iraq | 1980 | Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1980 when has been accredited Ambassador of Iraq to Liberia, residing in Lagos M. Saffa Mohammed Ali. [87] |
Israel | 22 August 1957 | See Israel–Liberia relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 22 August 1957. [16]
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Italy | 5 October 1951 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 5 October 1951 when has been accredited first Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of Italy to Liberia Mr. Umberto Campini. [12] |
Japan | September 1961 |
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Kenya | 21 May 1964 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 21 May 1964 when Liberia's Ambassador to Kenya, Mr. George Padmore, has presented his credentials to the Governor-General of Kenya. [45] |
Laos | 12 August 2016 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 12 August 2016
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Lebanon | 1 January 1951 | Both countries established diplomatic relations when Liberian and Lebanese Governments to raise their Consulates General to the status of Legations, and a proclamation was issued announcing that the change would take effect from 1 January 1951. [11] In 1957 both countries raise their Legations to status of Embassies [145] |
Libya | 1 April 1974 | See Liberia–Libya relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 1 April 1974. [70] Liberia's relationship with Libya has been characterized by Muammar Gaddafi's attempts at bringing Liberia under greater Libyan influence. Relations under the Doe administration were poor, owing to efforts by the United States to undermine Gaddafi's leverage, and Doe's cynicism of the Libyan leader's intentions. Gaddafi financially and militarily backed rebel leader Charles Taylor, under whose regime Liberia sought closer relations with Libya. After Taylor was ousted in 2003, Liberia continued to maintain diplomatic relations with Libya, only severing them after the onset of the Libyan Civil War, and just recently reestablishing them. |
Mali | 14 October 1960 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 14 October 1960 when established Embassy of Mali in Liberia and appointed first Chargé d'Affaires Mr. Sango Ibrahima in Monrovia [33] |
Mauritania | 13 March 1967 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 13 March 1967 when Ambassador of Mauritania to Liberia M. Bakar Ould Ahmedou, has presented his credentials to President Tubman. [53] |
Mexico | 22 June 1976 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 22 June 1976 [83]
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Mozambique | 17 December 2008 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 17 December 2008 when has been accredited Ambassador of Liberia to Mozambique. [98] |
Namibia | 28 April 1990 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 28 April 1990 [90] In 1960, Liberia and Ethiopia brought litigation against apartheid South Africa in the International Court of Justice to end its illegal occupation of Namibia. [147] As part of Liberia's support for Namibia's liberation struggle, many Namibian students received Liberian passports which helped them study abroad. As of July 2008, a total of 5,900 Namibia Defence Force troops had been rotated through Liberia as part of the United Nations Mission in Liberia. [148] Namibia maintained a battalion of about 800 personnel in Grand Cape Mount county for several years, for most of the period part of UNMIL Sector 2, headquartered at Tubmanburg. In May 2005, Namibian troops were accused of sexual exploitation of young girls and women; three Namibian soldiers were sent home from the force after a United Nations investigation found them guilty of "engaging in sexual activity with civilians", which is against United Nations rules for peacekeepers. [149]
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Netherlands | 3 May 1949 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 3 May 1949. [9] 27 March 1936 has been accredited Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of Liberia to the Netherlands Baron Otto van den Bogaerde van Terbrugge. [150] |
Nigeria | 1 October 1960 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 1 October 1960 when the Nigerian Government has agreed to Liberia's raising the status its consulate general in Lagos to that of an Embassy on the same date. [32]
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Norway |
| |
Pakistan | 1969 | Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1969 when has been accredited Pakistan's first Ambassador to Liberia M. Ali Arshad. [56] |
Russia | 7 June 1972 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 7 June 1972. [64] Liberia and Russia resumed bilateral relations in March 2010 and cited a recent exploration of mine by a Russian company as a sign of future trade relations. [152] |
Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic | ||
Senegal | 1962 | Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1962 when has been accredited Ambassador of Senegal to Liberia M. Amadou Lamine Sall. [40] |
Sierra Leone | 8 June 1962 | See Liberia-Sierra Leone relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 8 June 1962 when has been appointed first ambassador of Liberia to Sierra Leone Mr. Henry B. Fahnbulleh. [38] The First Liberian Civil War, instigated by Charles Taylor and the National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL) on December 24, 1989, eventually spread to neighboring Sierra Leone in 1991 when dissidents of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF), led by Foday Sankoh, began using Liberia as a staging ground for NPFL backed military assaults on border towns in Sierra Leone. [130] [131] [132] Guinea and Sierra Leone have accused Liberia of backing rebels who have devastated their countries. [130]
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Somalia | 1980 | Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1980 when has been accredited Ambassador of Somalia to Liberia, residing in Dakar, M. Jaallee-Abdinur Yusuf Mohamed. [87] |
South Africa | 10 January 1997 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 10 January 1997 [93]
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South Korea | 18 March 1964 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 18 March 1964 [44] In 2001 Bilateral Trade were Exports $7,350,000,000 (Ships, Automobile) Imports $1,270,000 (Used Ships, Mineral Fuel). [155] |
Spain | 15 May 1950 | See Liberia–Spain relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 15 May 1950 [10]
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Sweden |
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Tanzania | 27 May 1966 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 27 May 1966 when first Ambassador of Liberia to Tanzania Henry Bima Fahnbulleh presented his credentials to President Nyerere [51] |
Togo | 29 July 1960 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 29 July 1960 when accredited first Ambassador of Liberia to Togo Mr. John Cox. [31] |
Trinidad and Tobago | 6 December 1965 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 6 December 1965 when was accredited first ambassador of Liberia to Trinidad and Tobago (resident in Haiti) Mr. William B. Fernandez [49] |
Turkey | 1 August 1958 | See Liberia–Turkey relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 1 August 1958 [20] |
United Kingdom | 1 August 1849 | See Liberia–United Kingdom relations Both countries established diplomatic relations on 1 August 1849 [3] The UK was amongst the first countries to recognise the new republic. After the visit to the UK in 1848 of President Roberts, Queen Victoria put the Royal Navy ship HMS Amazon at the disposal of him and his family, for his return journey to Liberia. [157] In 1961, Queen Elizabeth II made a state visit to Liberia, arriving at Monrovia on the HMY Britannia. [158] President Tubman made a gift of two Pygmy hippopotamus, which arrived by cargo ship in 1962 and were sent to Whipsnade Zoo. [159] In 1962, President Tubman and his wife visited the UK. [160]
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United States | 23 February 1864 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 23 February 1864 [5] See Liberia–United States relations U.S. relations with Liberia date back to 1819 when the US Congress appropriated $100,000 for the establishment of Liberia. [161] After official US recognition of Liberia in 1862, the two nations shared very close ties until strains in the 1970s due to Liberia's establishment of diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union and other Eastern Bloc countries. [162] During the 1980s, the United States forged especially close ties with Liberia as part of a Cold War effort to suppress socialist and Marxist movements in Africa. Liberia received between $500 million and $1.3 billion during the 1980s from the United States government. [163] The rise of Charles Taylor's government, the Liberian Civil War, regional instability and human rights abuses interrupted the previously close relations between Liberia and the United States. The United States cut direct financial and military aid to the Liberian government, withdrew Peace Corps operations, imposed a travel ban on senior Liberian Government officials, and frequently criticized Charles Taylor's government. [161] [164] Due to intense pressure from the international community and the United States, Charles Taylor resigned his office on August 11, 2003. [162] The resignation and exile of Charles Taylor in 2003 brought changes in diplomatic ties between the United States and Liberia. The United States proposed a United Nations Security Council draft resolution to authorize the deployment of a multi-national stabilization force, [165] [166] and 200 marines as well as warships were sent to Monrovia's airport to support the peace-keeping effort. [167] The United States committed $1.16 billion to Liberia between 2004 and 2006. [161] [168] In 2009, A 17.5 million dollar contract to support elections was offered to Liberia with International Foundation for Electoral Systems as the conduit. [169] This money is meant to support the presidential election of 2011 and the general election of 2014. [169]
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Venezuela | 16 March 1965 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 16 March 1965 |
Vietnam | 28 June 2016 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 28 June 2016 [110]
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Zambia | 3 April 1972 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 3 April 1972 when first Zambian Ambassador to Liberia Mr. Siteke G. Mwale presented his credentials [62] |
Liberia is a founding member of the United Nations (see Permanent Representative of Liberia to the United Nations) and its specialized agencies and is a member of the African Union (AU), Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), African Development Bank (ADB), Mano River Union (MRU) and the Non-Aligned Movement. Liberia is also a member of the International Criminal Court with a Bilateral Immunity Agreement of protection for the US-military (as covered under Article 98). [161] [171]
The foreign relations of Angola are based on Angola's strong support of U.S. foreign policy as the Angolan economy is dependent on U.S. foreign aid. From 1975 to 1989, Angola was aligned with the Eastern bloc, in particular the Soviet Union, Libya, and Cuba. Since then, it has focused on improving relationships with Western countries, cultivating links with other Portuguese-speaking countries, and asserting its own national interests in Central Africa through military and diplomatic intervention. In 1993, it established formal diplomatic relations with the United States. It has entered the Southern African Development Community as a vehicle for improving ties with its largely Anglophone neighbors to the south. Zimbabwe and Namibia joined Angola in its military intervention in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where Angolan troops remain in support of the Joseph Kabila government. It also has intervened in the Republic of the Congo (Brazzaville) in support of Denis Sassou-Nguesso in the civil war.
Botswana has put a premium on economic and political integration in southern Africa. It has sought to make the Southern African Development Community (SADC) a working vehicle for economic development, and it has promoted efforts to make the region self-policing in terms of preventive diplomacy, conflict resolution, and good governance.
Burundi's relations with its neighbours have often been affected by security concerns. During the Burundian Civil War, hundreds of thousands of Burundian refugees have at various times crossed to neighboring Rwanda, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Some Burundian rebel groups have used neighboring countries as bases for insurgent activities. The 1993 embargo placed on Burundi by regional states hurt diplomatic relations with its neighbors; relations have improved since the 1999 suspension of these sanctions.
The Foreign relations of Egypt are the Egyptian government's external relations with the outside world. Egypt's foreign policy operates along a non-aligned level. Factors such as population size, historical events, military strength, diplomatic expertise and a strategic geographical position give Egypt extensive political influence in the Africa, the Mediterranean, Southwest Asia, and within the Non-Aligned Movement as a whole. Cairo has been a crossroads of the Mediterranean's, Africa's and Asia's commerce and culture for millennia, and its intellectual and religious institutions are at the center of the region's social and cultural landmarks.
The foreign relations of Ghana are controlled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ghana. Ghana is active in the United Nations and many of its specialised agencies, the World Trade Organization, the Non-Aligned Movement, the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), the African Union (AU) and the Economic Community of West African States. Ghana generally follows the consensus of the Non-aligned Movement and the OAU on economic and political issues not directly affecting its own interests. Ghana has been extremely active in international peacekeeping activities under UN auspices in Lebanon, Afghanistan, Rwanda, and the Balkans, in addition to an eight-year sub-regional initiative with its ECOWAS partners to develop and then enforce a cease-fire in Liberia. Ghana is also a member of the International Criminal Court.
The foreign relations of Guinea, including those with its West African neighbors, have improved steadily since 1985.
Since 1980, the foreign relations of Iraq have been influenced by a number of controversial decisions by the Saddam Hussein administration. Hussein had good relations with the Soviet Union and a number of western countries such as France and Germany, who provided him with advanced weapons systems. He also developed a tenuous relation with the United States, who supported him during the Iran–Iraq War. However, the Invasion of Kuwait that triggered the Gulf War brutally changed Iraq's relations with the Arab World and the West. Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Syria and others were among the countries that supported Kuwait in the UN coalition. After the Hussein administration was toppled by the 2003 U.S. invasion, the governments that succeeded it have now tried to establish relations with various nations.
The foreign policy of Lebanon reflects its geographic location, the composition of its population, and its reliance on commerce and trade. Until 2005, Lebanon's foreign policy had been heavily influenced by Syria, however beginning with the formation of Hezbollah in 1982, Iran had gradually grown to heavily influence Lebanon.
Malawi's former President Bakili Muluzi continued the pro-Western foreign policy established by his predecessor, Hastings Banda. It maintains excellent diplomatic relations with principal Western countries. Malawi's close relations with South Africa throughout the apartheid era strained its relations with other African nations. Following the collapse of apartheid in 1994, Malawi developed, and currently maintains, strong diplomatic relations with all African countries.
While alliances dating back to the Mozambican War of Independence remain relevant, Mozambique's foreign policy has become increasingly pragmatic. The twin pillars of the policy are maintenance of good relations with its neighbors and maintenance and expansion of ties to development partners.
Namibia follows a largely independent foreign policy, with strong affiliations with states that aided the independence struggle, including Nigeria, Libya, and Cuba.
Uganda has formal diplomatic relations with many countries, some accredited. Since the colonial era and after independence Uganda has grown to be one of the most important African countries. Uganda has diplomatic relations with many countries throughout Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania. Uganda is a member of the United Nations and the Commonwealth of Nations since 1962.
After seizing power in the 1972 coup d'état, Major Mathieu Kérékou declared the People's Republic of Benin a Marxist-Leninist state and sought financial support from communist governments in Eastern Europe and Asia. To distance the modern state from its colonial past, the country became the People's Republic of Benin in 1975. However, Benin dropped the socialist ideology in 1989 following pressure from creditors and domestic unrest related to economic hardship.
The Gambia followed a formal policy of non-alignment throughout most of former President Dawda Jawara's tenure. It maintained close relations with the United Kingdom, Senegal, and other African countries. The July 1994 coup strained The Gambia's relationship with Western powers, particularly the United States. Starting in 1995, President Yahya Jammeh established diplomatic relations with several additional countries, including Libya, the Republic of China, and Cuba. As scholars on Gambia's foreign policy have argued, throughout Jammeh's period, the country's foreign policy was a shifting sand, with little of direction.
Sierra Leone maintains formal relations with many Western nations. It also maintains diplomatic relations with the former Soviet Bloc countries as well as with the People's Republic of China.
The foreign relations of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR) are conducted by the Polisario Front, which maintains a network of representation offices and embassies in foreign countries.
Throughout the Cold War, Ivory Coast's foreign policy was generally favorable toward the West. In particular, Félix Houphouët-Boigny kept relations with France that was among the closest between any African country and a former colonial power. The country became a member of the United Nations at independence in 1960 and participates in most of its specialized agencies. It is also an associate member of the European Union. In general, President Bédié initiated and maintained relations with many countries of the European Union and Asia. Ivory Coast maintains a wide variety of diplomatic contacts.
5-4-67 – H.E . Mr. H. B. Fahnbulleh ( Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Liberia ) ( Resident in Nairobi )