In July 1979, President William R. Tolbert Jr. of Liberia basked in glory in a purpose-built conference hall on the banks of the St. Paul River, which for over a century had served as an important conduit for the country’s Americo-Liberian settlers to penetrate the interior of a land which had attracted black American settlers since 1822.
OP-ED: Michelle Obama’s Visit Follows Historical Template of Superficial US Engagement in Liberia
On Monday, Michelle Obama, with daughters Malia and Sasha in tow, touches down in Liberia for a day. The US first lady will not set foot in the capital, her two public events will be at a school in Unification Town and at the Peace Corps training facility in Kakata. No sooner will the Obama’s have arrived and they will be on their way to Morocco.