US Lifts Decade Long Economic Sanctions On Liberia
President Barack Obama on Thursday lifted economic sanctions against Liberia that had been in place for over a decade.
Obama notified congressional leaders in a letter, which he based his decision on pro-democracy moves by Liberia since it emerged from civil war in 2003. He also cited the “orderly development” of its political, administrative and economic institutions, including presidential elections in 2005 and 2011 that were internationally recognized as being freely held.
It will be recalled that the previous White House had slapped Liberia with economic sanctions in July 2004 after determining that actions by Taylor and others posed a threat to U.S. foreign policy. The penalties were designed to deprive Taylor and others of funding and arms for conflicts in West Africa.
Obama removed the penalties by executive order.
