IPNEWS: The name Ambassador Linda Thoams Greenfield will go down in history for her astute loyalty to state craft and overwhelming love for the people of Liberia.
Liberians reflect on the days of her assignment to war-toned Liberia when all was said globally that Liberia was a failed state, Ambassador Greenfield kept hopes alive within international cycles letting all know that hope for Liberia could be attained. Even though you prepare to end your duty of work at the United Nations on on today January 15, 2024, the Independent Probe sends our congratulations and deepest respect for your work to the global communities.
Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield is indeed an extraordinary diplomat and a trailblazer. With a career spanning over four decades, she has broken barriers and achieved numerous milestones. As the United States Ambassador to the United Nations, she has been a powerful voice for American interests and values on the global stage.
One of her most notable achievements is her work in Africa, where she served as the Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs from 2013 to 2017. Her expertise and dedication have helped shape U.S. policy towards sub-Saharan Africa, promoting economic development, peace, and security with the formation of the US.-AFRICA LEADERSHIP SUMMIT HELD EACH YEAR.
As a trailblazer, Thomas-Greenfield has paved the way for future generations of diplomats. She was one of the first African American women to hold the position of Ambassador to the United Nations, and her leadership has inspired countless others to pursue careers in diplomacy.
Some of her notable accomplishments as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations include:
– *Advocating for Human Rights*: Thomas-Greenfield has been a strong advocate for human rights, particularly in the areas of racial justice and gender equality
– *Promoting Peace and Security*: She has played a key role in promoting peace and security, particularly in regions such as Africa and the Middle East
– *Fostering International Cooperation
*: Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield has worked tirelessly to foster international cooperation on issues such as climate change, global health, and economic development
Overall, Linda Thomas-Greenfield is an exceptional diplomat and a true trailblazer. Her dedication, expertise, and leadership have made a lasting impact on the world stage.
“Thank you for your service and future services “
Back to Liberia, Ambassador THOMAS Greenfield was very supportive in the formation of the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for Women and Development, where she exemplified her strong support for women’s participation in global affairs and garvonized much nedded support for Center and it’s flagship Amujae Initiative which continued to receive from leaders across the world.
In a speech at the Center’s inauguration, former United States Ambassador to Liberia Linda Thomas-Greenfield said:
“I truly believe if your dream does not scare you it is not big enough. What we see here today is a big dream. President Sirleaf set standards during her 12 years as President of Liberia. She began and continues to set a standard as role model for women empowerment.”
Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield also noted former president Sirleaf’s vast contributions to women’s advancement in public leadership:
“You’ve worked hard…Ma Ellen did not shut the door behind her, she looked back.”
During the years of 2005-2014, Ambassador Thomas Greenfield worked to ensure Liberia regain its status in the accomplishments of 20 years of uninterrupted peace, including its transformation from a UN peacekeeping mission recipient country to a troop contributing country and its active role in UN fora, where Liberia is a strong voice for democracy and human rights. Under Ambassador Linda Thomas Greenfield U.S.-Liberian cooperation in fighting the Ebola virus disease in 2014-2015 taught the world the importance of infectious disease prevention and response, lessons that have been applicable to both the Zika virus and the COVID-19 pandemic. And Liberia’s now-multiple peaceful election contests, including the election of Africa’s first woman president in 2005 and the transfer of political power between parties in 2017, demonstrates the democratic values and processes that the Liberia has embraced with the aid of Ambassador Linda Thomas Greenfeild at all levels of society, notable when considering the democratic backsliding seen in some African countries today.
Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield is the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, nominated by President Joseph R. Biden and confirmed by the U.S. Senate in 2021. Thomas-Greenfield served as Ambassador to Liberia from 2008 to 2012, overseeing the opening of a state-of-the-art new U.S. Embassy compound in Monrovia and supporting efforts to pursue accountability for Liberian war crimes.
During her distinguished 35-year-career with the U.S. Foreign Service, Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield served as Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs (2013-17); Director General of the Foreign Service (2012-13); Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of African Affairs (2006-08) and Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (2004-06).
In a January 2023, Ambassador Linda Thomas Greenfield at the head of a US.. Presidential dlelegation fof the inuarguration of president JOSEPH n. boakai in Liberia – marking the Liberia’s successful second peaceful, democratic transition of power since the end of the civil war in 2003. She was really honored to lead the President’s delegation for this remarkable celebration of democracy as the former U.S. ambassador to Liberia. Importantly her visit to West Africa took place amidst a backdrop of democratic backsliding in the region. For which she had to travel to Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea Bissau, and met with heads of government, opposition leaders, members of civil society, and representing the next generation of leaders emphasizing how civilian-led democracies deliver for people – and underscore the importance of preserving and expanding them.
This massage was part of her keynote address at the Liberia Chamber of Commerce on election night: stressing that that ‘democracy is a tie that binds the U.S. and Liberia together And that both in America and in Liberia, democracy is an unfinished project – a choice we all must make not just on election day or inauguration day, but every single day.
While in Liberia, Ambassador Linda Thoams Greenfield visited the historic Providence Baptist Church, where Liberia’s declaration of independence was signed in 1847 – and that continues to be a symbol of liberty and hope for Liberia.
She met with leaders, including outgoing President George Weah, to commend him on his commitment to the peaceful transfer of power – and the new president, President Joseph Boakai, to discuss the importance of combatting corruption, promoting accountability, and remaining a pillar of democracy in a region roiled by threats to it.
Democracy was also the topic of conversations at a meetings with Guinea Bissauan President Embalo, Sierra Leonean President Bio, and Ghanaian former Ghanian President Akufo-Addo, who was also in Liberia to celebrate the inauguration of president Joseph Boakai.
And democracy was the basis for the announcement made in Freetown a few days after Liberia’s visit: ‘that the United States is committing $1.5 million to support Sierra Leone’s electoral reform processes’. This funding will help provide the technical and legal assistance needed to strengthen democracy in Sierra Leone – as well as fuel civilian engagement to increase everyday people’s awareness, buy-in, and ownership.
Another key theme of Ambassador Linda Thoams Greenfield trip Sierra Leone was peace and security – which are, of course, linked with democracy.
This was a focus of all of her conversations with heads of state – including her sit-down meeting with the president of Sierra Leone, whose country joined the Security Council during a particularly turbulent moment in the region – and a meeting with the Ghanaian former president, whose country played a critical role in helping pass a UN financing resolution for AU peace operations.
“The international community has a responsibility to empower AU missions to respond to Africa’s growing security challenges.” Ambassador Linda Thoams Greenfield stressed.
The financing resolution, which the UN unanimously adopted at the end of last year, is a major steppingstone to that end – putting African leaders at the forefront, and African people at the center.
In addition to discussing peace and security with presidents, Ambassador Linda Thoams Greenfield visited the Sierra Leone Peace Museum, which honors the victims of the country’s decade-long conflict and works to promote lasting peace. This visit was incredibly timely, and it was remarkably heart-wrenching to see the important efforts that were being made to ensure that people never forget what happened during that war. But it was also timely as it immediately preceded her participation in a national dialogue discussion with the Government of Sierra Leone, opposition leaders, and members of the international community working to implement Sierra Leone’s agreement for national unity.
DUirng a visit to Tombo Fishing Village, where I Ambassador Linda Thoams Greenfield learned more about the community’s challenges with illegal fishing, as well as U.S. interventions to address climate, health, food – and food security.
And finally, had the opportunity to meet with Liberian soldiers who served as international peacekeepers as part of the UN’s mission in Mali.
“This is one of those full-circle moments for me. I visited Liberia in 2005, near the height of the UN peacekeeping mission following the civil war. To come back not even two decades later, and see Liberians contributing troops – it’s a testament to the resilience and the dedication of the Liberian people. Which brings me to the last theme of the trip, which was investing in the future of Africa – namely, women and young people. Ambassador Linda Thoams Greenfield stated.
In Sierra Leone, Ambassador Linda Thoams Greenfield got to meet with an incredible group of young women leaders at Fourah Bay College, where they discussed the transformative role women played in government, business, and more.
And while in Liberia, she had the opportunity to engage with alumni of the President’s Young Professionals Program and U.S. exchange programs – as well as students from my favorite school in the world. (University of Wisconsin.)
And I know that’s a lofty statement: favorite school in the world. But while I love my alma maters, LSU and the University of Wisconsin, these students attend The Linda Thomas-Greenfield Preparatory School.
So: Democracy. Peace and security. Investing in women and young people.
I could talk about these three priorities – and more importantly, the African people realizing them on the ground – forever. But I want to get to your questions, and I know you want to get to them too. So let me end by just saying that this is a region that is near and dear to my heart. I first went to Liberia and Sierra Leone in the late 1970s. And since then, progress in the region has hardly been a straight line.” Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield concludes at a press conference in Sierra Leone.
