Conflicts In Liberia: The 1980 Coup, Samuel Doe, Charles Taylor & The Civil War - 04 (Joe Wylie TRC)

For much of its 164-year history, Liberia has enjoyed a special status among Africa’s nations. Founded in 1847 by freed slaves from the United States and the Caribbean, it was Africa’s first independent black republic, and people across Africa considered it both an inspiration and a beacon of hope. Nevertheless, the relationship between the African-American arrivals, known as Americo-Liberians or “Congo” people, and the many ethnic groups already present in Liberia, bore many similarities to European colonialism in the rest of Africa. + #liberia #africa #politics