By Jerromie S. Walters
WomenVoices has been credibly informed that the United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas Greenfield, is set to embark on a diplomatic trip to Liberia to attend the inauguration of President-elect Joseph Nyuma Boakai. Representing U.S. President Joe Biden, Ambassador Thomas Greenfield’s visit signifies the strong bilateral ties between the United States and Liberia.
Ambassador Thomas Greenfield is scheduled to arrive in Liberia on Sunday, January 21, 2024, ahead of the highly anticipated inauguration ceremony, which will take place on Monday, January 22, 2024, at the Capitol, the esteemed workplace of the National Legislature of Liberia.
Considering Liberia’s relationship with the U.S. the visit of Ambassador Thomas Greenfield highlights the importance of the United States’ commitment to supporting democratic processes and fostering international relations. As President Boakai assumes office, the presence of a high-ranking U.S. official underscores the significance of this transition for both countries, especially following the conduct of a peaceful and globally venerated election.
As the United States has been a longstanding partner of Liberia,
Ambassador Thomas Greenfield’s visit presents an opportunity for both countries to explore avenues for collaboration in areas such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure development. providing support in various sectors to foster sustainable development and prosperity.
Liberia has made significant strides in recent years towards consolidating its democratic institutions and promoting stability. The inauguration of President Boakai marks another milestone in Liberia’s democratic journey, and the presence of Ambassador Thomas Greenfield serves as a testament to the United States’ commitment to supporting democratic transitions worldwide.
As the inauguration ceremony approaches, the anticipation and excitement in Liberia continue to grow. The presence of Ambassador Thomas Greenfield adds an extra layer of significance to this historic event, reinforcing the enduring friendship between the United States and Liberia.
Linda Thomas-Greenfield (born 1952) is an American diplomat who serves as the United States ambassador to the United Nations under President Joe Biden. She served as the U.S. assistant secretary of state for African affairs from 2013 to 2017. Thomas-Greenfield then worked in the private sector as a senior vice president at business strategy firm Albright Stonebridge Group in Washington, D.C.
President Biden nominated her to be the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, and she was confirmed by the United States Senate on February 23, 2021. She took office after presenting her credentials on February 25, 2021.
Thomas-Greenfield taught political science at Bucknell University, before joining the Foreign Service in 1982.[8]
She served as deputy assistant secretary, Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (2004–2006), principal deputy assistant secretary for African affairs (2006–2008), ambassador to Liberia (2008–2012), and director general of the Foreign Service and concurrently as the director of human resources (2012–2013). In addition, Thomas-Greenfield held foreign postings in Switzerland (at the United States Mission to the United Nations), Pakistan, Kenya, The Gambia, Nigeria, and Jamaica. From 2013 to 2017, she served as the assistant secretary of state for African affairs in the United States Department of State‘s Bureau of African Affairs.
In 2017, she was terminated by the Trump administration as part of what was a “purge of senior State Department officials and career professionals over nearly four years,” according to the Los Angeles Times.
Thomas-Greenfield is a non-resident fellow at Georgetown University, having been a distinguished resident fellow in African studies from the fall of 2017 to the spring of 2019.
In November 2020, Thomas-Greenfield was named a volunteer member of President-elect Joe Biden‘s agency review team to support transition efforts related to the United States Department of State. As of November 2020, Thomas-Greenfield was on leave from a senior vice president position at Albright Stonebridge Group.
