UIUC DIRECTOR ERIK S. MCDUFFIE HAILS LIBERIAN NATIONAL ARCHIVES AS A GLOBAL TREASURE, CALLS FOR FINANCIAL SUPPORT

By Kaipee Newray

MONROVIA – Professor Erik S. McDuffie, the Director for African Studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), has characterized the Liberian National Archives as a vital treasure for the nation, the African continent, and the global community. Professor McDuffie, a distinguished historian whose expertise encompasses the African Diaspora, Black radicalism, and urban history, offered these remarks during a recent research mission to the Center for National Documents and Records Agency (CNDRA).

Accompanied by a colleague from the United States, Professor McDuffie conducted an extensive tour of the facility in Monrovia this past Tuesday. He observed that since 2018, the National Archives has demonstrated exceptional progress in the professional organization and preservation of the nation’s historical records. He specifically lauded the agency’s leadership for its commitment to maintaining the integrity of Liberia’s documentary heritage despite the inherent technical challenges of archival management.

During his visit, the Professor issued a global call to action, encouraging archivists, historians, and librarians from across the world to visit and support the CNDRA. He noted that the difficulty of preserving papers of high historical value requires a collaborative international effort. Professor McDuffie emphasized that the National Archives remains a cornerstone of heritage for the Black world, serving as a primary repository for narratives involving Black feminism, masculinity, and the global struggle for equity.

In his concluding remarks, Professor McDuffie urged both the government and private partners to further strengthen the agency’s technical infrastructure. He highlighted that improvements in climate control, humidity management, and large-scale digitization are essential to ensuring that these “amazing files” are not only protected from physical decay but also made accessible to Liberians and the international research community. His endorsement reinforces the CNDRA’s position as a critical institution for national identity and sovereign history.