US Elections: Liberia’s President Sirleaf Saddened, Concerned After Trump Win

Liberian President Ellen Sirleaf on Thursday expressed her disappointment that U.S. voters had not elected a woman president.

Sirleaf worried about Trump’s policy for Africa

Sirleaf, Africa’s first female head of state, expressed concern about what President-elect Donald Trump’s policy toward Africa would be.

“We are extremely saddened by this missed opportunity on the part of the people of the United States to join smaller democracies in ending the marginalization of women,” she said.

She said that Liberia, a nation founded in the 19th century by freed American slaves, had a long and historical relationship with the United States and she expected that to continue.

“We are concerned as to whether President-elect Trump will have an African agenda. African’s are concerned whether the president-elect will be able to build bridges with Africa. We can only hope that he will do so in due course.

“I’m worried about trade deals for Liberia, for Africa.

“I’m worried about investment and the special programmes that President Obama and President George Bush have put in place. As it is now, we just don’t know what the policy Trump has for Africa,” the president said.