Sirleaf awarded US$5 mln African leadership prize

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Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the former president of Liberia, has been awarded the 2017 Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership, it was announced on Monday.

Sirleaf served as Liberia’s president from 2006 to 2017, and is credited with rejuvenating the West African nation after years of civil war. She was awarded the Nobel peace prize in 2011.

Africa’s first elected female president is the fifth recipient of the prize, which includes five million US dollars over 10 years and 200,000 US dollars annually for life thereafter.

Dr Salim Ahmed Salim, chair of the prize committee, said, “Ellen Johnson Sirleaf took the helm of Liberia when it was completely destroyed by civil war and led a process of reconciliation that focused on building a nation and its democratic institutions.

“Such a journey cannot be without some shortcomings and, today, Liberia continues to face many challenges. Nevertheless, during her 12 years in office, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf laid the foundations on which Liberia can now build.”

Since 2006, Liberia was the only country out of 54 to improve in every category and sub-category of the Ibrahim Index of African Governance.

Former footballer George Weah was elected as Liberia’s new president in December, in the country’s first democratic transition of power.

Liberia's then president-elect George Weah (2nd L) looks over as he stands next to his wife Clar (L), outgoing president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (C), and newly elected-vice-president Jewel Taylor (2nd R) in Monrovia on January 21, 2018. /VCG Photo

The Ibrahim Prize is organized by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, a philanthropic body created by telecommunications billionaire Mo Ibrahim.

Only former African executive heads of state or government who have left office during the last three calendar years, having been democratically elected and served their constitutionally mandated term, are eligible for the prize.

The prize, initiated in 2007, is only awarded when an outstanding candidate emerges.

Sirleaf joins Hifikepunye Pohamba of Namibia (2014), Pedro Pires of Cabo Verde (2011), Festus Mogae of Botswana (2008) and Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique (2007) as an Ibrahim Prize Laureate. Nelson Mandela was made the inaugural Honorary Laureate in 2007.