PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) – Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf said Sunday that her government is committed to providing its citizens the means to survive and prosper, but all Liberians have a role to play in rebuilding the African nation.

Addressing a cheering crowd of more than 300 people, the majority of them Liberians, Johnson-Sirleaf acknowledged her country has made some mistakes and her people have suffered violence, hunger and exile. But she said it has the potential to become a beacon of democracy with Liberians at home and abroad playing their parts.

“Each and every one of you has a role to play,” Johnson-Sirleaf said in front of Providence City Hall, her speech often drawing an emphatic “yes” from the audience. “Each and every one of you has a contribution to make; each and every one of you needs to reach across and continue to support your nation, continue to advocate peace.”

Liberia was founded by freed American slaves in 1847. The West African nation, about the size of Tennessee, descended into civil war in 1989 after Charles Taylor led a rebel force that invaded from neighboring Ivory Coast.

Taylor was elected president in 1997 during a lull in fighting, but relations between Liberia and the United States reached an all-time low under his rule.

Johnson-Sirleaf, a Harvard University graduate, became Africa’s first woman president after winning election in January. This is her first visit to the United States since taking office.

Many Liberians living in Rhode Island said they were honored Johnson-Sirleaf chose to visit the Ocean State. Before her speech, Johnson-Sirleaf met with dignitaries, including Republican Sen. Lincoln Chafee, who invited her to the state, as well as leaders of the Liberian community.

Rhode Island has the largest per-capita Liberian population in the United States, with 10,000 to 15,000 living in the state.

Braving the cold Sunday afternoon, many of them stood outside city hall for more than an hour, waving the red, blue and white Liberian flag, singing Liberian folk songs and dancing to the beat.

Those in their traditional African gowns and head wraps painted downtown Providence with vibrant colors.

“Not every day a president from your homeland comes to see his or her people,” said Nkosi Anthony, 14, of Providence, who is longing to visit Liberia. He was born in the United States but is of Liberian descent. “It’s a thrill.”

For Saah C. N’Tow, from the Liberian Community Association of Rhode Island, seeing Johnson-Sirleaf descend the steps of city hall to speak at the podium means peace is no longer an illusion for his people.

“It means my brothers and sisters back home will be OK,” he said, as he handed out miniature Liberian flags.