The President of the Republic of Liberia, her Excellency Mrs. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf says President Nelson Mandela’s passing is not only a loss for South Africa, but also for the entire continent of Africa and indeed the world at large.

President Johnson Sirleaf ‘s statement was contained in her condolence message to the Government and People of the Republic of South Africa, following the death of Former South African President Nelson Mandela, who died Thursday, December 5, 2013.

In her Condolence Message to South African President Jacob Zuma, Madam Johnson Sirleaf, on behalf of Liberia, extended deepest Condolences to the bereaved family and the People of South Africa for the irreparable loss of one of Africa’s greatest and finest sons.

President Johnson-Sirleaf asserted that the world is saddened over the demise of President Nelson Mandela whom she described as a towering and inspiring world leader whose moral authority was unsurpassed.

The Liberian leader stated that as an anti-apartheid leader, Mandela’s struggle brought freedom to millions of South Africans, stressing that his spirit of forgiveness and willingness to embrace his tormentors made him a symbol of reconciliation and a beloved figure the world over.

"As the First Black President of South Africa, his courage and unwavering dedication to the ideal of justice, freedom and equality contributed to reordering that country into a truly rainbow nation", the Liberian President remarked.

The Liberian President recalled during her visit to South Africa at Mandela’s 90 birth anniversary where she was awe-stricken by his spirit of generosity and commitment to the cause of humanity adding "his pursuit of peace, democracy and equality for the people of South Africa and mankind everywhere earned him the Nobel Peace prize.

She then prayed that God will grant solace and consulate to members of the Mandela grief stricken family and the government and people of South Africa in this hour of National grief.

Meanwhile, President Johnson Sirleaf has ordered that the flag of Liberia be flown at half mast for three days across the length and breadth of the Republic in expressing the nation’s enormous grief, and as a mark of respect for this fallen hero.