Remember him?

Monrovia is closed for business today. All the roads were shut down and only official vehicles were allowed to pass. Military helicopters buzzed overhead and there were police stationed on every corner. Thousands of people were lined up along Tubman Boulevard, the main street into town, to celebrate the arrival of a much anticipated visitor.

However, when I turned up to greet my adoring public they all had their backs turned. Having become something of a local celebrity in my neighbourhood over the past couple of weeks I was slightly taken aback. Many bystanders were wearing t-shirts that read “Liberia and America. United for Progress”. It was after seeing the gigantic signs saying “Liberia welcomes President George Walker Bush” and the banner draped from a nearby building which said “Welcome Bush. Liberia Loves You” that I finally took the hint. These people weren’t here for me. Someone asked me which newspaper I was from. Another if I was in the CIA. “Do I look like a secret agent” I replied pointing at my ragged t-shirt and flip-flops? I suppose it could have been a good disguise.

Yes good old ‘W’ was in town. Remember him? It seems like he’s been somewhat absent from the news recently but apparently he’s still breathing. Liberia is the last stop on his week long tour of Africa and what better way to round off a trip? People waved flags and cheered as his motorcade rolled past. It must feel strange for him to receive such a rapturous welcome considering he’s more or less equated with Satan in most other parts of the world these days. Imagine if someone put up a sign saying “Britain Loves You George” when he visited London?

He’s due to meet assorted Liberian dignitaries, speak at Monrovia University as well as visit a military training installation that the US has paid for. The Americas have given US$139 million to modernise Liberia’s army. One wonders if this should have been a priority given the recent history of the place (two decades of civil war?….I know lets train more soldiers!).

The more sceptically inclined might say that the only reason he’s here is to build support for an American military base in Africa (something the Liberian government has said it would willingly provide land for) or perhaps to counter the ever-increasing Chinese presence in the region (they resurfaced the road Bush just sped down as it would happen). But none of this seemed to matter to the cheering crowds who’d come out to show their appreciation. It’s the first time an American President has visited Liberia in 30 years. Who cares if he’s only staying for seven hours!