President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has sent a Congratulatory Message to the President of the Republic of Benin, His Excellency Mr. Patrice Talon on that country’s 57^th Independence Anniversary on August 1.

August 1^st is celebrated annually as Benin’s Independence Day when it gained independence from France in 1960. Benin, formerly Dahomey, gained status of overseas territory of France in 1946, after the end of World War II. In 1958 France granted it autonomy, and the territory was named the Republic of Dahomey. Full independence was achieved on August 1, 1960, Hubert Maga became the first president of the Republic of Dahomey.

The next 14 years of independence were the period of political instability. Four major figures dominated the region, that accompanied several coups. In 1975 the country was renamed to the People's Republic of Benin.

According to a Foreign Ministry release, in the message to her counterpart, President Talon, President Sirleaf extended warmest congratulations on behalf of the Government and people of Liberia and in her own name on the occasion of Benin’s 57^th Independence Anniversary.

“As the people of Benin commemorate this joyous occasion,” the Liberian leader said, “I commend them for their laudable efforts to preserve unity and peace and to pursue the path of wholesome development.”

She stressed that looking forward to the coming years, the Government and people of Liberia anticipate a further strengthening of the already excellent bilateral ties subsisting between the two sisterly countries.

President Sirleaf prayed that as both countries work together to promote global peace, security and economic development, the Almighty God will endow His Excellency Mr. Talon with abundant wisdom and strength to lead his compatriots to greater prosperity.