The head of the U.N. mission in Liberia, Alan Doss, calls it a momentous occasion for Liberia, founded for freed American slaves in the 19th century, but recently ravaged by 25 years of conflict, corruption, rebel and military rule. "I think it marks the end of a chapter, a very sad chapter, in the history of this country, the first independent African republic, and it also marks the opening of a new chapter. That chapter has yet to be written, obviously, but I think the promise is good," he said. He also said having Africa's first elected female head-of-state marked an important moment in women's emancipation.