U.S. Senator Warnock meets former President Sirleaf

By Stephen G. Fellajuah

Monrovia, August 26, 2025: U.S. Senator Raphael Gamaliel Warnock, a respected American politician and Baptist pastor serving as the junior Senator from Georgia, paid a courtesy visit to former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in Monrovia, where he pledged to help strengthen economic relations and deepen historical ties between Liberia and the United States.

Speaking to New Dawn Newspaper on Monday, August 25, 2025, following a meeting with the former president, Senator Warnock reflected on the significance of his visit and its personal and political dimensions.

“It was a mission trip of Atlanta’s Ebenezer Baptist Church in Liberia,” he shared.

“As it turns out, I visited in 2014, and you know shortly thereafter the Ebola virus hit the country, so I was not able to return with the team that year. In the midst of that, I was running for the United States Senate, so I am happy to be here, and I preached at the Providence Baptist Church on Sunday.”

Senator Warnock recounted his first visit to Liberia over a decade ago, after receiving an invitation from Rev. Samuel Reeves, pastor of Providence Baptist Church, to preach during an anniversary celebration. Though the Ebola outbreak and political commitments kept him from returning sooner, he expressed joy at finally being back.

Touching on his meeting with former President Sirleaf, Warnock spoke with deep admiration.

“She is a quintessential example of leadership, and I am inspired by the depth of her commitment to the people of Liberia. Her work on women’s empowerment and human dignity is inspiring,” he said.

“She has led Liberia through the Ebola outbreak and seen the ups and downs of a struggling democratic republic that has experienced civil war. She was steadfast.”

While the visit was spiritually motivated, Senator Warnock emphasized a broader mission: building meaningful connections between Liberia and his home state of Georgia.

“Not only have I come as a citizen and Senator from the United States of America, but my home region, Georgia, has deep ties with Liberia, from the accent to the food, and other cultural similarities,” he said.

“I will find a way to deepen connections and strengthen the economic vitality of the people of Liberia, who have been through so much.”

He also disclosed that he met with several local entrepreneurs who impressed him with their vision and talents, expressing hope for future partnerships that will support Liberia’s growth.

The visit concluded with a warm lunch at the home of former President Sirleaf, bringing together family members, friends, and well-wishers in a celebratory atmosphere.

During the gathering, both leaders exchanged art pieces as a symbol of mutual respect.

Speaking briefly, Madam Sirleaf welcomed the Senator’s initiative and the delegation he brought to Liberia.

“The Senator is here visiting as part of a Baptist Church arrangement, but he himself requested to meet with me, so I embraced the request and organized a lunch,” she said with a smile.

“Senator Gamaliel is an important congressman, and it takes a Black congressman who wants to help to support Liberia and to work on Liberia’s progress. So it’s always a pleasure to receive them and their entire delegation, including the women. These are people with good intentions for Liberia.”

She noted that many members of the delegation had prior connections with Liberia, saying, “Some of them have a history with Liberia, some of them I’ve met before under one circumstance or another. So today, we could use it to reunite ourselves after many years.”