Liberians

Liberians are the citizens and residents of Liberia, a country in West Africa bordered by Sierra Leone, Guinea, Cote d’Ivoire, and the Atlantic Ocean. The population is estimated at around five million. The capital and largest city is Monrovia. The official language is English, with many indigenous languages such as Kpelle, Bassa, Kru and Mano widely spoken in daily life.

Liberia has a unique historical background. It was founded in the early 19th century as a settlement for freed African American and Caribbean slaves, organized by the American Colonization Society. The republic declared independence on July 26, 1847, and for much of the 19th and 20th centuries was governed by Americo-Liberians, a settler-descendant elite. The 1980 coup ended that era and ushered in decades of political instability. Civil conflict followed from 1989 to 1997 and again from 1999 to 2003, leading to widespread destruction and displacement. A regional peace process and a United Nations mission helped stabilize the country, and democratic elections were held in 2005. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, serving from 2006 to 2018, became Africa’s first elected female head of state, followed by George Weah, who took office in 2018.

Economically, Liberian activity centers on natural resources such as rubber, iron ore and timber, alongside agriculture and services. The country has faced development challenges stemming from years of conflict, but reconstruction and reform efforts continue with international assistance. Liberians belong to diverse ethnic communities, each with its own cultural traditions. Christianity is the predominant religion, with Muslim communities and indigenous beliefs also present. The Liberian diaspora and regional organizations, notably ECOWAS, influence politics and development within the country.