President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf

Liberian President Ellen Sirleaf said on Thursday that she was saddened by the fact that U.S. voters had not elected a woman president.

Sirleaf, the first woman to be elected a head of state in Africa, expressed concern about what President-elect Donald Trump’s policy toward Africa would be.

“We are extremely saddened by this missed opportunity on the part of the people of the United States to join smaller democracies in ending the marginalisation of women,” she said.

She said that Liberia, a nation founded in the 19th century by freed American slaves, had a long and historical relationship with the United States and she expected that to continue.

“We are concerned as to whether President-elect Trump will have an African agenda, will be able to build bridges with Africa. We can only hope that he will do so in due course.

“I’m worried about trade deals for Liberia, for Africa.

“I’m worried about investment and the special programmes that have been put in place by President Obama and by President George Bush before him, and we just don’t know what the policy toward Africa will be,” the president said. (Reuters/NAN)