President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has sent a message of congratulations to the Government and people of the Central African Republic (CAR) on the occasion commemorating the 57th Independence Anniversary on Sunday, August 13, 2017.

The Central African Republic annually celebrates its Independence Anniversary on August 13, commemorating the nation’s independence from France in 1960. In the mid-19^th century Sudan governed the territory of Upper-Oubangui, that included present-day Central African Republic. In 1894, France created Ubangi-Shari territory (now CAR). In 1911, France ceded a portion of the territory of Ubangi-Shari to Germany and annexed it again after the end of World War 1.

Since 1920, Ubangi-Shari was administered from Brazzaville in French Equatorial Africa. France implemented new laws and introduced mandatory cotton cultivation, that led to usage of force labor.

In 1957, Bartelemy Boganda, a leading nationalist politician, came to power. Within a year, he declared the establishment of the CAR and served as its first Prime Minister. After his death, his cousin David Dacko came to power. When the CAR gained formal independence from France in 1960, he became its first President.

According to a Foreign Ministry release, in the message to her CAR counterpart, His Excellency Mr. Faustin-Archange Touadera, the Liberian President extended heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to the Government and people of CAR on behalf of the Government and people of Liberia and in her own name.

“As the people of the Central African Republic commemorate this joyous occasion, I entertain the hope that the cordial ties of friendship and cooperation subsisting between our two countries and people will be further strengthened for the mutual benefit of our two countries,” President Sirleaf said.

She said that as both countries continue to collaborate in furtherance of international peace, security and economic cooperation amongst all nations, it is her fervent prayer that the Almighty God will continue to endow, H.E. Mr. Touadera with abundant wisdom and strength as he leads his people to greater prosperity.

In a related development, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has also sent a message of congratulations to the Government and people of the Republic of Congo on the occasion marking their 57^thIndependence Anniversary, on Tuesday, August 15, 2017.

August 15 is celebrated annually by the Republic of Congo in commemoration of the day it gained its independence from France in 1960.

In her message to His Excellency Mr. Denis Sassou Nguesso, President of the Republic of Congo, and through him, the Government and people of the Republic of Congo, President Sirleaf, on behalf of the Government and people of Liberia and in her own name, extended warmest congratulations and best wishes on the occasion the 57^th Independence celebration.

“We trust that this occasion will inspire national renewal and present the opportunity for the people of Congo to reflect on the vision of the forefathers of Africa, particularly, those of the Republic of Congo,” the Liberian leader said.

She prayed that as both countries work together in furtherance of promoting international peace and security and cooperation amongst all nations, the Almighty God will endow H.E. Mr. Nguesso with abundant wisdom and strength as he leads his compatriots to greater prosperity.