Reflecting on President Carter’s legacy, President Boakai said “President Carter’s dedication to promoting peace and human dignity resonates deeply with the values we hold dear in Liberia.”/President Boakai signs Book of condolence for Carter as U.S. Ambassador Mark Toner Looks on. /Credit: Executive Mansion.
Monrovia – Liberia has joined most part of the world in mourning the death of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, who passed away in December 29, 2024 at the age of 100. On Monday, President Joseph Boakai led some top cabinet officials to sign the book of condolence at the United States Embassy in Monrovia.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh, [email protected]
Reflecting on President Carter’s legacy, President Boakai said “President Carter’s dedication to promoting peace and human dignity resonates deeply with the values we hold dear in Liberia,” adding, “His efforts in advancing democracy and human rights have been a beacon of hope for many nations, including our own.”
In the United States, funeral observances for the former US president is underway, beginning in Georgia, his home state and later this week in Washington D.C.
Carter, the 39th President of the United States (1977–1981), was widely regarded as a global advocate for human rights and democracy. His presidency also marked a significant chapter in U.S.-Liberia relations, characterized by close ties with Liberian President William R. Tolbert Jr.
Carter’s historic visit to Liberia in April 1978, accompanied by his wife, Rosalynn Carter, underscored the deep friendship between the two nations. The visit, during Tolbert’s tenure as Liberia’s 20th President, was a testament to the strong bond between the two leaders and their shared vision for peace, development, and unity in Africa.
Historic Meetings Between Carter and Tolbert
President Carter’s visit to Liberia in 1978 marked the first time a sitting U.S. president visited the West African nation. During his trip, Carter lauded Liberia’s leadership in Africa and reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to supporting Liberia’s development efforts.
President Carter’s visit to Liberia in 1978 marked the first time a sitting U.S. president visited the West African nation. Here, he and President Tolbert in open top limousine from RIA to Monrovia.
The following year, President Tolbert traveled to Washington, D.C., in a reciprocal gesture of diplomacy. Tolbert’s visit came shortly after his successful chairmanship of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) Summit, hosted in Monrovia in 1979. The summit, which was attended by several African heads of state, further cemented Liberia’s role as a key player in African diplomacy during Tolbert’s administration.
A Friendship Cut Short by Tragedy
Just a year after his visit to the U.S., President Tolbert’s leadership was abruptly ended in April 1980 when he was assassinated in a bloody coup d’état. The coup, led by enlisted men of the Armed Forces of Liberia, resulted in the execution of Tolbert and several members of his government, marking the beginning of a tumultuous era in Liberia’s history.
President Carter, who had left office in 1981, expressed profound sadness over Liberia’s descent into political chaos. Despite the tragedies, Carter remained committed to promoting peace and democracy around the world.
Carter’s Legacy and the Carter Center
After leaving the White House, President Carter established The Carter Center in 1982, in partnership with Emory University. Guided by a commitment to human rights and the alleviation of human suffering, the center became a global leader in advancing peace, health, and democracy.
The Carter Center played a significant role in Liberia’s post-war recovery, both the 1997 and 2005 elections, when it deployed international observers to ensure free and fair voting processes. The late President Carter in 1991 visited Liberia as head of the Carter Center, to help mediate a peaceful end to the Liberian civil war that started in December 1989.
While in Liberia on his first peace mission in 1991, President Carter met with civil society leaders. He also met with then Interim President Amos C. Sawyer and officials of Dr Sawyer’s Interim Government of National Unity (IGNU), as well as Prince Johnson’s INPFL before heading to Gbarnga, Bong County, to meet with NPFL leader Charles Taylor.
After the second civil war, he returned in 2005 during the Liberia’s first post-war elections. Carter’s enduring commitment to Liberia reflected the deep ties he formed with the country during his presidency.
The visit, during Tolbert’s tenure as Liberia’s 20th President, was a testament to the strong bond between the two leaders and their shared vision for peace, development, and unity in Africa. Liberians and Americans lined the Streets of Monrovia to get a glimpse of the two leaders.
Looking Back: A Legacy of Friendship
As the world reflects on Carter’s remarkable life and legacy, Liberia remembers him as a friend and ally who fostered closer ties between the two nations. His historic meeting with President Tolbert remains a poignant reminder of a time when Liberia was a beacon of stability and leadership in Africa.
President’s Carter’s historic meeting with President Tolbert remains a poignant reminder of a time when Liberia was a beacon of stability and leadership in Africa. Here, both leader toast during a luncheon at the Executive Mansion.
Carter’s death at 100 marks the end of an era, but his contributions to peace, democracy, and Liberia’s history will forever be etched in the annals of time.
FrontPage Africa looks back on the historic meetings between President Jimmy Carter and President William R. Tolbert Jr., moments that exemplified the strong bond between Liberia and the United States in the 1970s.
April 03, 1978, Robert International Airport
President Tolbert’s Speech
Mr. President, Mrs. Carter, Amy, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, friends:
Just over 30 years ago, Mr. President, on January 27, 1943, another American President transited this land in connection with the victorious Allied effort of World War II.
Liberia’s President Edwin James Barclay received President Franklin Delano Roosevelt at that time on an asphalt airstrip of 7,000 feet. In the intervening years, United States-Liberia cooperation has here afforded one of the most modern and expanding civil aviation facilities in West Africa, spanning a reinforced 11,000 feet.
And today, we are deeply honored to pay homage to America’s first third-century President who has come in the larger pursuit of permanent peace, of human rights, and of economic justice in our one world; who has come in furtherance of continuing friendship and closer cooperation between the United States of America and the Republic of Liberia.
Standing here beneath the sunny expanse of Africa’s skies, we most heartily salute you, Mr. President, Mrs. Carter, Amy, and members of your suite, and with intense warmth, embracingly welcome you on behalf of Mrs. Tolbert, our family, the Government and people of Liberia, to this land of love and liberty by God’s command.
Mr. President, by your sincere leadership you are restoring to a weary world, particularly in the troubled Middle East and in Africa, refreshing new hopes of enterprise and prosperity, of liberty and morality.
Carter’s historic visit to Liberia in April 1978, accompanied by his wife, Rosalynn Carter, underscored the deep friendship between the two nations. Here President and Mrs. Tolbert welcomed President Carter and First Lady Rosalynn Carter the Roberts International Airport.
By your profound example, mankind is beginning to feel again, as Thomas Paine once articulated, I quote, “the power of America to create a happy world,” and may I add, free from human oppression, free from human distinction.
By your vision and love, peoples and nations can once more rejoice that the United States still cares, that its actions resound of lasting verities.
Upon this continent where the majority of least developed countries can be found, nature’s fury often fuels unyielding economic frustrations upon its people. On this continent where persist heinous repression and racism, hatred and injustice, human beings appealingly demand justice against human cruelty, against brutal violence, and against human indignity.
On this continent of contemporary intrigue and intransigence, bloody assassinations and fracticidal conflicts, armed proxy interventions and potential bigpower confrontations tend to postpone freedom and justice and the enjoyment of human rights. These further imperil the solemn pursuit of international peace and security.
In Africa, yea the world, we can sense through your dynamic moral leadership fresh evidences of positive change. This new momentum to enhance mankind was manifested again by your outstanding for. eign policy address on Africa, recently delivered in Lagos, Nigeria, for which we heartily commend you. And we earnestly hope that all conditions, both political and economic, which contribute to permanent global reconciliation and lasting partnerships can be sturdily established in the coming years.
In 1943, Liberia stood with America, Mr. President, an unswerving friend and selfless ally, a developing democracy. We are confident today that with closer cooperation and more fulfilling creative United States policies and programs, Liberia can become a more brilliant star of democratic ideals in Africa, a more convincing showpiece of humanistic capitalism and progressive development.
Offering once more our hands in hearty welcome to you, Mr. President, Mrs. Carter, and your entourage, we affirm and pledge our best efforts with you in the global campaign of extending the frontiers of human liberty and advancing the principles of genuine peace and stability.
We will remain one with you, Mr. President, in surmounting the tyranny of energy and in healing the injuries of economic uncertainties.
Ever steadfastly, we pledge our total resources with you in securing the victory we courageously seek over inequity and injustice, over ignorance, disease, and poverty, to the lasting benefit of our children’s children and even endless future generations, throughout this our one world.
May Almighty God bless our endeavors and hasteningly bring peace to mankind everywhere.
President Carter’s remarks
President Tolbert, distinguished officials of the Liberian Government, members of the diplomatic corps, and America’s valued and dear friends, the people of Liberia:
I am very happy to be here in Liberia, a country which is one of America’s oldest friends, and to arrive at this historic airfield. During the Second World War, as President Tolbert has described, when it was known simply as Roberts Field, it was a vital link in the supply line to Europe and to North Africa in our common fight for freedom.
Now, reborn as Roberts International Airport, with a new terminal recently opened, it symbolizes the pride, the achievements, and the great potential of your nation.
Liberia was born out of mankind’s eternal desire for freedom, and you have achieved it here. The free black people who came from America to this beautiful coastline in the 19th century were determined to build a society which reflected the dignity in their souls and their hope in their hearts. They joined here in Liberia with others who longed for a better life. These two streams united to form the first independent republic in Africa.
During the past century of colonialism, your independence was preserved. And now you can look back with pride on 130 years of uninterrupted independence and freedom, which gives Liberia a respected senior status among the nations of this continent.
Franklin Roosevelt did stop here at the airport in 1943 to meet with President Barclay, but this is the first official state visit of an American President, and it is long overdue. The bonds between our two countries are too strong for such a long period ever to elapse again.
We have been very grateful that you have added to the pleasure and the honor I feel in arriving here by declaring today a national holiday. It’s a national holiday in my heart, as well.
Our friendly relationship is of great mutual advantage and exists on many levels—in the intertwining of our histories, in the democratic tradition established in our own Constitutions, and in the similarity in our forms of government. It exists in education, in trade, and religion. It was perhaps most meaningful in what President Tolbert has called the “war against ignorance, disease, and poverty.”
The American people are proud to join Liberians in this effort through bilateral relationships between our two countries and in multilateral programs involving many countries. Our two Governments agree that these should be directed toward improving the basic conditions of life for those who most need help.
In coming to Liberia, I am reaffirming a friendship that is very old, but I am also drawing to a close a series of visits that reflect a world that is new. Less than three decades from now, four-fifths of all the world’s people will live in Africa, Asia, and Latin America—in the sorts of developing nations that I have visited this year.
Only three decades ago, many nations of these continents were largely colonies of foreign powers. Their rise to independence means a world in which we must treat each other as equals. And one of the purposes of these trips has been to demonstrate the genuine respect my Nation feels for its partners around the world and our opposition to the continuation or reestablishment of colonialism in any form whatsoever.
The world economy has changed, bringing the hope of economic improvement and justice to millions and making each of us far more dependent than ever before on the cooperation of our neighbors.
If we create a world economy of fairness and growth, our mutual well-being will be ensured. If we are shortsighted and let inequality, selfishness, and injustice persist, all of us will suffer.
Even the ideas that motivate mankind have been changing. The traditional rivalry between East and West continues, even as we try to reduce the competition and expand the areas of potential cooperation.
But other visions, those of national identity, of self-determination, of racial equality, of the individual rights of all human beings, rise more and more to dominate the human horizon.
It is indeed a new world, and I would like to reemphasize briefly the three themes that dominate our vision of this new age.
The first is economic justice, both among the nations of the world and for those within each nation who now lack the material requirements for a decent life.
Economic justice imposes a special obligation on nations like my own, which have resources to share with the rest of the world. This is a responsibility we intend to honor. But sustaining the world economy is ultimately a shared responsibility in which every nation must do its part.
The second element is a respect for human rights—the right to be treated properly by one’s own government, to be able to participate in the decisions that affect one’s own life, to have the basic human requirements of food, shelter, health, and education.
If there is any development that has heartened me in my time as President, it is the extent to which the cause of human rights has taken its rightful place on the agenda and in the conscience of the world. This is a cause that the United States and Liberia are proud to claim as our birthright. But we know that it is now spreading, not because of our efforts but because the times demand it.
The third element on which all our other hopes eventually depend is a search for peace.
My Nation has now, as it has had for the last 30 years, a responsibility to work constantly for peace with its powerful rivals. But in this new age, the search for peace leads in other directions as well. It means relying on mutual conciliation, negotiation, discussion of even the most intractable and difficult international issues.
In this area your own President Tolbert’s philosophy of conciliation and moderation has been an outstanding example. It marks him as a man with a profound understanding of human nature and a firm commitment to preventing potential conflicts through wise and just agreements.
We share with you a commitment to an Africa that is at peace, an Africa free from colonialism, an Africa free from racism, an Africa free from military interference by outside nations, and an Africa free from the inevitable conflicts that arise when the integrity of national boundaries is not respected.
And the search for peace means anticipating changes that must inevitably come, such as those in southern Africa, so that they can come peacefully, rather than with their pent-up tensions erupting into violence.
These are the goals America is pursuing, and I am looking forward to discussing them with one of Africa’s leading statesmen, your own President Tolbert.
His idealism, his determination, and his energy have won widespread admiration in Africa, in America, and around the world. His recent statesman-like sponsorship of the reconciliation summit gathering of West African heads of state, here in Monrovia, has helped to inaugurate a new era of cooperation among these nations for the good of all.
Next year he will be hosting, and will become a major leader of, the Organization of African Unity here in Monrovia. He has worked tirelessly for national self-determination, racial justice, and a better life for all the people of the African Continent.
As we go now together to Monrovia, we will in a sense close the circle that has opened between our people more than a century and half ago.
On behalf of the people of the great Nation of the United States, I would like to say to the people of the great nation of Liberia, this is a journey which is a privilege for me to make.
Thank you very much.
Washington Meeting, October 2, 1979
Meeting participants
United States
Liberia
SUMMARY
President Carter and President Tolbert exchanged views on major multilateral as well as bilateral issues. President Tolbert discussed the work of the OAU as viewed from his position of Chairman. He made a strong plea for U.S. recognition of Angola, asked that the U.S. not lift sanctions against Zimbabwe, and called for greater U.S. assistance to Africa in its struggle for economic independence. Speaking to bilateral issues, President Tolbert made several specific requests for U.S. assistance. President Carter proposed sending a delegation to Liberia to explore ways of strengthening the special relationship between the two nations.
Multilateral Issues
OAU Conference: President Carter opened the discussion of multilateral issues by congratulating President Tolbert on his successful hosting of the OAU Conference and praising his statesmanship as OAU Chairman.
Human Rights: President Tolbert noted that he felt the most important achievement of the Conference was the resolution on human rights. Africans should have the same standards for human rights as they expect from the rest of the world. He noted that the human rights seminar held in Monrovia after the OAU Conference had reached a number of important decisions.
Economic Liberation: Tolbert said he felt a second important outcome was the resolution on economic liberation. Africans had struggled in the past to achieve political liberation, and while some problems remain, such as apartheid, the present struggle will center around economic liberation. If economic dependency and underdevelopment continue, Africans will still not be free. He noted that the OAU Conference had drawn up a strategy for Africa’s economic development aimed at the continent’s future self-sufficiency. Tolbert urged that the U.S. move decisively to help the Africans with economic development. Eastern countries had seized opportunities to help with political liberation, but Africans, he said, realized that those countries could not resolve the continent’s problems. U.S. help as a common friend and ally would be much appreciated at this time.
Egypt: President Carter commended Tolbert for his handling of the Egyptian issue at the OAU. Tolbert responded that it had not been easy to work out a resolution on Egypt. They had had to juggle what the extremists wanted with what they perceived as the U.S. position. He noted that it was the resolution adopted at Monrovia that had saved Sadat in Havana, pointedly remarking, “we did this as a friend of yours”.
Angola: As he had with Secretary Vance,4 Tolbert made a strong pitch to President Carter for U.S. recognition of Angola. He noted that Neto had told him he would welcome diplomatic ties with the U.S. although he had to rely on the Cubans because his existence depended on them. Tolbert stressed that Neto above all was a man of his own mind. He noted that dos Santos, at Neto’s funeral, had assured him that he would follow the same policies.
President Carter remarked that he had been surprised and favorably impressed with Neto during the last few months, and said that the U.S. would follow the situation closely and not let Neto’s death interrupt the progress made previously.5 He cautioned, however, that the 18,000 to 20,000 Cuban troops in Angola colored U.S. attitudes on the matter, and that we needed to see what kind of new leaders emerged there.
The Deputy Secretary added that it will be important to see how the new Angolan leadership acts on Namibia. Tolbert agreed, adding that SWAPO’s presence on the Angolan border makes them very involved in Namibian events. Carter noted that in conversations with Angolan leaders the U.S. had encouraged the withdrawal of SWAPO forces from the border and of South African troops from the whole area. The Angolans have stated that they need only a token force to use against UNITA. Carter noted that the U.S. had cooperated with Angola in helping to defuse the Shaba situation and to demilitarize the Angola/Zaire border. Both the U.S. and Angola seek a non-apartheid government in Namibia, and the U.S. awaits the eventual Cuban withdrawal the Angolans have discussed.
Tolbert urged that the evolution of the situation is more important than the changes in leadership, and that the two sides should not waste time assessing each other’s leaders at this point. President Carter agreed that this was a very good point and asked the Deputy Secretary to pursue it through Ambassador McHenry. Carter continued that the U.S. would like to see Angola move out of the Soviet/Cuban orbit to become more truly non-aligned. Tolbert volunteered to do all that he could on this issue as OAU Chairman, and noted that it would be very useful if the Contact Group of Western Foreign Ministers could work more closely with a representative group of OAU Ministers on this issue. Carter agreed that this was a very useful idea.
Western Sahara: Tolbert raised the Western Sahara issue, noting that the report of the OAU Committee of Wise Men had called for the self-determination of the people of the Sahara. Mauritania had pulled out of its section in the Sahara and Morocco had moved in. He said that he had called a meeting of the Wise Men and representatives of neighboring countries for October 16 in Monrovia, but that participation posed a problem. The Polisario wants to be there, but the Moroccans fear the Polisario would adversely influence the meeting. Further, Tolbert questioned whether Chadli of Algeria would attend if the Polisario were absent. Carter said it reminded him of the Middle East problems.
Benin-Gabon Relations: Tolbert said he was also trying to bring Benin and Gabon together, after having successfully kept their dispute off the OAU agenda. Foreign Minister Dennis noted that a meeting at the Foreign Minister level is scheduled for October 12.
Arab-Israeli Dispute: Carter urged Tolbert to help with the Middle East situation, noting that if only Arafat would accept Resolution 242 and recognize Israel’s right to exist, it would be much easier to have serious negotiations. Carter noted that Arafat’s reluctance to recognize Israel until the final stage of negotiations appeared to play into the Israelis’ hands. Tolbert agreed that the Palestinians should recognize Israel’s right to exist as a state.
Zimbabwe: Tolbert raised the Zimbabwe issue, noting that they hoped the London talks would go well but were concerned about the transitional arrangements involving the three armies. He expressed appreciation of the U.S. role in the matter. Tolbert urged that the U.S. not lift sanctions until there was real freedom and elections in Zimbabwe. He noted that African leaders at the OAU Conference had agreed that lifting of sanctions was tantamount to recognition, and such an action would reflect very badly on the U.S. Carter spoke of the difficulties with the sanctions issue, noting that the future U.S. position would depend on the London negotiations and the moves of ZAPU and ZANU. Carter warned that if the Patriotic Front broke off negotiations, leaving the British and Muzorewa as the only seemingly reasonable parties, it would be difficult to adhere to his present position. He noted that the U.S. would work closely with the British, who had the proper legal status to resolve the issue. As for the question of armies, he noted that the British agree that this should be resolved afterwards.
Bilateral Issues
President Carter opened the meeting by expressing Secretary Vance’s regrets that he could not be present, commending President Tolbert for his good judgment at the OAU Conference, and noting his regret at the departure of Ambassador Dennis with whom he noted he had the closest relationship of all the African Ambassadors in Washington. President Tolbert noted that this was the third time he had been received warmly in the White House and commended President Carter on his speech about Soviet activities in the Western Hemisphere the previous evening.
The Liberian Political Situation: In response to President Carter’s inquiry about the aftermath of the April 14 riots, President Tolbert thanked Carter for the American support at the time and noted that certain elements had wanted to bring Communism to Liberia. He said that at the time of the riots there was a larger number of Cubans in the country than ever before. As a result, he had asked the Russians to reduce the size of their mission in Monrovia. He noted that Liberia faced certain social problems and that he was moving to solve these problems, but that resources were limited.
A Special Delegation: President Carter responded by recalling the special relationship and suggested sending a delegation to explore ways to strengthen the friendship and alleviate tension that sometimes had developed between the two countries.8 He stressed that the purpose of the group would not be to recommend an increase in assistance but to look at the overall relationship. Tolbert said he would welcome such a visit as he had welcomed Andy Young’s recent business delegation.9 He suggested that one of the first things the delegation might explore was the relocation of the University. President Carter said the delegation would have a broader mandate and composition than Young’s business group and might also include educators who had been associated with one of the large American university systems. President Carter asked Acting Secretary Christopher to look into the proposal and give him a recommendation. Carter noted that normally such commissions are created when there are difficult problems but happily this group would not look at any such large problems.
Follow-Up From The President’s 1978 Visit: President Carter asked about the status of the projects which were discussed during his 1978 visit to Monrovia. Tolbert said he had not yet received the report on the study of the river blindness, stressing that the problem was serious in many parts of the country, particularly near the Firestone Plantation.
Regarding the patrol boats, Tolbert said the new boats had not been received yet, noting that some of the original patrol boats had defective sections when they arrived. President Tolbert said they had wanted new boats but the Americans had stressed spare parts for the original boats. President Carter asked the Acting Secretary to look into the status of the river blindness and patrol boats project.
After Mr. Christopher noted that he had just signed the $10 million housing guarantee and $5 million ESF for low income housing, the Liberian President expressed his appreciation and continued that the housing needs in Liberia were very great. Noting the deplorable condition of the military housing and the consequent social problems, Tolbert asked that the U.S. Government consider a military housing project. President Carter responded by noting Liberia’s highest in Africa per capita assistance and Congressional strictness in allocating large sums for aid programs.
Tolbert noted that Liberia had once hoped to become self-sufficient in rice production, but that now it would be useful to have a P.L. 480 program again. The Acting Secretary responded that a program was not planned for next year; Assistant Secretary Moose explained that the Liberia program had been established in response to a certain need at a certain time, and as other countries’ requirements gradually surpassed Liberia’s, the program was stopped. Carter proposed that the delegation might include some agricultural experts. Noting that Liberians would know more about their own agricultural situation than outsiders, he added that the experts might be useful in discussing their tree crop technology.
In conclusion, Tolbert again noted that the delegation would be very welcome. He stressed that the two most important projects for the Liberians would be the military housing program and the relocation of the University.
Credit: Jimmy Carter, Monrovia, Liberia Remarks of President Carter and President William R. Tolbert, Jr., at the Welcoming Ceremony Online by Gerhard Peters and John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project; Foreign Relations of The United States, 1977–1980, Volume Xvii, Part 2, Sub-Saharan Africa/ https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1977-80v17p2/d49