Liberia: The Washington Dilemma: A Historical Challenge for Liberian Presidents with Devastating Consequences

Attempting to stay clear of Washington due to its controversial approach to Liberian relations is an old playbook. No President of the West African nation has ever survived the dilemma without caving into Washington or suffering consequences since the creation of the state, but it has been more intrusive during the Second Republic. From William R. Tolbert’s “Mat to Mattress” policy to Charles G. Taylor’s “VISION 2024,” the outcomes have impacted the presidency and the stability of the…