Liberia is located in Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Cote d'Ivoire and Sierra Leone. The country was founded by freed slaves from the United States and the West Indies in 1820. More settlements in the following years culminated in the declaration of independence of the Republic of Liberia in July 1847. In Liberia's early years, the Americo-Liberian settlers periodically encountered stiff and sometimes violent opposition from indigenous Africans, who were excluded from citizenship in the new Republic until 1904. After a string of Americo-Liberian leaders, a military coup in April 1980 led by Samuel K. Doe resulted in the overthrow of the existing regime, the death of President William Tolbert, and the imposition of martial law. In 1985, civilian rule was restored in elections, and Doe retained power, although the elections were thought to be fraudulent. In December 1989, rebels led by Charles Taylor invaded from neighboring Cote d'Ivoire with the intention of overthrowing Doe's regime. A month later, the rebel forces assassinated Doe, the constitutional government was suspended, and civil war followed. A period of relative peace in 1997 allowed for elections that brought Taylor to power, but major fighting resumed in 2000. An August 2003 peace agreement ended the war and prompted the resignation of former president Charles Taylor who is facing war crimes charges in The Hague related to his involvement in Sierra Leone's civil war. After two years of rule by a transitional government, democratic elections in late 2005 brought President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to power. The government of Liberia has since made progress in political stability and economic recovery.