President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, has sent separate independence anniversary messages to the King of Malaysia, His Majesty Yang di-Pertuan Agong Abdil Halim and the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, His Excellency Mr. Almazbek Atambayev.

August 31^st is celebrated annually as the Independence Day of the Federation of Malaysia when it gained its independence from the United Kingdom in 1957; while on the same day in 1991, the Kyrgyz Republic declared its independence from the USSR.

According to a Foreign Ministry release, in the message to the King of Malaysia, His Majesty King Abdil Halim, President Sirleaf extended warmest congratulations on behalf of the Government and people of Liberia and in her own name, to him and the Government and people of Malaysia, as they celebrate their country’s 59^th Independence Anniversary.

“As the people of Malaysia celebrate this auspicious occasion, it is our fervent hope that these festivities will cultivate new frontiers in our bilateral ties and promote international peace and security in keeping with the principles of the United Nations,” she emphasized, hoping that the bond of friendship so happily subsisting between the two countries will be further strengthened for the mutual benefits of both peoples.

In a related development, the Liberian leader, in the message to her Kyrgyz counterpart, expressed how pleased she is to extend warmest congratulations on behalf of the Government and people of Liberia and in her name to President Atambayev and the Government and people of the Kyrgyz Republic on the occasion marking that country’s 25^th Independence Anniversary.

“As the people of the Kyrgyz Republic commemorate this joyous occasion, I look forward to the strengthening of the already excellent bilateral cooperation subsisting between our two countries for the mutual benefits of our peoples,” President Sirleaf said, adding, “Moreover, we acknowledge with appreciation the strong partnership between our two countries, particularly, in international affairs, which we hope can drive more bilateral engagements.”

She further told President Atambayev that as Liberia and the Kyrgyz Republic work together in furtherance of peace, security, and global economic development within the context of the sustainable development goals, she prayed that the Almighty Allah will endow him with wisdom and strength as he leads his country to greater prosperity.