(Monrovia, August 10, 2016) – A United States Congressional Delegation arrives in Liberia today on a three-day visit that is expected to include talks with President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and senior Liberian government officials. The delegation includes Senator Edward Markey of Massachusetts, as well as Representatives Karen Bass of California, and Carolyn Maloney of New York. In addition to Liberia, the delegation will make stops in Cape Verde, Senegal, and Nigeria to assess United States diplomatic, defense and development activities in the West African Sub-Region.
Discussions with Liberian government officials will focus on a range of issues, including bilateral development assistance to Liberia and security cooperation between the two countries. The visit will also provide members of the delegation an opportunity to examine the United States Government’s broad efforts to help Liberia peacefully manage its first post-war transition of presidential power.
In a statement issued shortly before their departure from Washington, DC last week, members of the delegation noted that the four countries they had chosen to visit were at different stages of democratic development, but collectively represent the challenges and opportunities that the people of West Africa face as they strive to build secured, stable and prosperous societies.