President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has sent two separate congratulatory messages to the Government and people of the Republics of Argentina and South Sudan on the occasion marking their 200^th and 5^th Independence Anniversaries, respectively.

According to a Foreign Ministry release, in the message to her Argentinean counterpart, His Excellency Mauricio Macri, President of the Republic of Argentina, the Liberian leader, extended to him and through him to the Government and people of Argentina, heartfelt congratulations and best wishes on behalf of the Government and people of Liberia and in her own name on the occasion marking that country’s 200^th Independence Anniversary.

July 9^th is celebrated annually as Argentina’s Independence Day. The Sovereign General Congress of the United Provinces of the Rio de la Plata gathered in the city of Tucumán to declare their independence on July 9, 1816. The Congress of Tucumán was a decisive milestone in the history of the United Provinces of the Rio de la Plata, giving birth to the Argentine nation. This holiday celebrates the important role played by the northwestern provinces of Argentina.

President Sirleaf wished that the warm relations subsisting between the two countries and people will continue to flourish as they work together for the attainment of global peace, security, economic and social development.

She further wished that President Marcri and the people of Argentina will continue to enjoy good health and happiness, peace, unity and prosperity.

In another congratulatory message to the Government and people of the Republic of South Sudan, President Sirleaf, on behalf of the Government and people of Liberia and in her own name, extended to His Excellency Mr. Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic of South Sudan, and through him to the Government and people of South Sudan, warmest congratulations on the occasion of their fifth Independence Anniversary.

South Sudan gained independence from Sudan on July 9, 2011 as the outcome of a 2005 agreement that ended Africa's longest-running civil war.Made up of the 10 southern-most states of Sudan, South Sudan is one of the most diverse countries in Africa. It is home to over 60 different major ethnic groups, and the majority of its people follow traditional religions.  Independence did not bring conflict in South Sudan to an end. The 2013-2015 civil war displaced 2.2 million people and threatened the success of one of the world's newest countries.

The Liberian leader hoped that the bond of friendship so happily subsisting between Liberia and South Sudan will continue to grow stronger in the years to come and further wished for the two countries to work closely for the promotion of peace, security and reconciliation among the people of Africa.