And for Liberia, Ambassador Clinton

Posted By Ben Fryer Tuesday, July 18, 2006 - 3:52 PM Share

clinton More than six years after leaving office, Bill Clinton has a new country to represent: Liberia. On Monday, Clinton pledged himself to be Liberia's roving ambassador, promising an audience in Monrovia to do everything in his power to help the country recover from its 14-year civil war.

One can't help but wonder whether Clinton's offer might stem from guilt for his inaction during Liberia's chaotic 1990s. It's also unclear exactly what Clinton's promise means. At best, it could mean renewed international attention and an influx of aid that the new government could use to reconstruct its war-ravaged infrastructure. At the very least, it will give Liberians confidence that other countries are paying attention to their struggle.

Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, who just completed her first six months in office, said at a donors' conference last week that her country isn't looking for fresh aid, but instead seeks new ideas for how to reconstruct. Getting an American ex-president as a roving ambassador? It won't rebuild roads, but it's not a bad place to start.

EXPLORE:AFRICA, DEVELOPMENT, FOREIGN AID, POLITICS

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