Interesting notes from the State Department description:
COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: Liberia is a western African country that has suffered from years of instability and conflict. In August 2003, negotiations among warring parties led to the departure of former President Charles Taylor, and a national government of transition came into power in October 2003. Since that time substantial progress has been made in the resettlement of refugees and displaced persons and the reintegration of former combatants. Reconstruction of the country's infrastructure is ongoing. Respect for human rights and the rule of law has improved. Economic development and the elimination of corruption remain problematic. By most measures, Liberia is one of the poorest countries in the world. Tourism facilities are poor or, in many cases, nonexistent. The capital is Monrovia and the official language is English.
SAFETY AND SECURITY: The Department of State urges U.S. citizens to carefully consider the risks of travel to Liberia. Americans who travel to or remain in Liberia should avoid travel to the interior of the country. The ability of Liberia's security forces to maintain law and order in the countryside is uncertain. Actions of the local security forces (and former members of the security forces) also at times threaten travelers. Members of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) provide limited security around Monrovia and the main population centers. UNMIL's future after the elections in 2005 is uncertain. Given the conflict in Liberia and in nearby Cote d'Ivoire, American citizens should consider carefully the importance of their travel to Liberia and weigh their personal safety. Americans who must go to Liberia should check with the U.S. Embassy's Consular Section before undertaking travel and should avoid going to rural areas of Liberia due to security incidents and armed dissident activity.
U.S. citizens in Liberia should be aware of their surroundings at all times and use caution when traveling. Travel anywhere after dark is strongly discouraged. Due to the potential for violence, U.S. citizens should avoid crowds, political rallies, and street demonstrations and maintain security awareness at all times.
CRIME: Monrovia's crime rate is rated critical and is exacerbated by the high rate of unemployment in the country. Theft, assault, and murder are major problems, and they occur more frequently after dark. Foreigners, including U.S. citizens, have been targets of street crime and robbery. Residential armed break-ins are common. The police are ill equipped and largely incapable of providing effective protection. Despite successful peace talks and deployment of peacekeeping forces, criminal activity and occasional looting by ex-combatants continue to flare up in the countryside.
Perpetrators of business fraud often target foreigners, including Americans. Formerly associated with Nigeria, these fraud schemes are now prevalent throughout western Africa, including Liberia, and pose a danger of both financial loss and physical harm. Recently, an increasing number of American citizens have been the targets of such scams. Typically, these scam operations begin with unsolicited communication (usually by e-mail) from an unknown individual who describes a situation that promises quick financial gain, often by assisting in the transfer of a large sum of money or valuables out of the country.
The scenarios are varied: an American must pretend to be the next-of-kin to a recently deceased Liberian who left a fortune unclaimed in a Liberian bank; a person claiming to be related to present or former political leaders needs assistance in transferring large sums of cash; or even a business deal that appears to be legitimate. The requests are usually for the payment of advance fees, attorneys' fees, or down payments on contracts. The final payoff does not exist; the purpose of the scam is to get any money possible and to gain information about the American's bank account. The best way to avoid becoming a victim of advance-fee fraud is common sense - if it looks too good to be true, it probably is. Any unsolicited business proposal originating in Liberia should be carefully checked out before you commit any funds, provide any goods or services, or undertake any travel.
MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION: Hospitals and medical facilities are very poorly equipped and are incapable of providing basic services. Emergency services comparable to those in the U.S. or Europe are non-existent, and the blood supply is unreliable and not safe for transfusion. Medicines are scarce, often beyond expiration dates, and generally unavailable in most areas.
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Liberia is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.
Road travel in Liberia can be hazardous. Cars, trucks, and taxis are frequently overloaded with people and goods and make frequent stops without signaling. Many vehicles operate with threadbare tires, and blowouts are common. There are no operating traffic lights in the country; therefore, intersections should be approached with caution. There are also no public streetlights; pedestrians in Monrovia's streets and those walking on country roads are difficult to see at night. Pedestrians often walk in the streets and cross busy roadways with little or no warning. Drivers and pedestrians are cautioned that high-speed car convoys carrying government officials require all other vehicles to pull off the road until they have passed. All drivers must remain in their vehicles at the roadside with headlights turned off until any such convoy passes. It would be advisable to wait at least ten minutes after the convoy passes since convoy stragglers often drive at high speed in order to catch up with the group.
Photographing military installations, air and seaports, and important government buildings is restricted. Visitors should not take photographs of sites or activities that might be considered sensitive, or police and military officers are liable to confiscate the camera. Travelers are advised not to take photographs, movies or videos in any public place.
Lodging, fuel, transportation, and telephone services are unevenly available in Liberia, and are nonexistent or severely limited in rural areas. Neither water nor electricity is commercially available in Monrovia. Most hotels have utilities available, but not on a 24-hour basis. Few facilities and homes have telephones, and disruption of telephone service is common. Several cell phone companies provide service in Monrovia and some areas outside the capital. Public mail delivery is very unreliable, but commercial air courier service is available through DHL and Federal Express.
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