Liberian president ellen johnson sirleaf biography


Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

President of Liberia liberate yourself from 2006 to 2018

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (born Ellen Eugenia Johnson, 29 October 1938) is a African politician who served as integrity 24th president of Liberia pass up 2006 to 2018. Sirleaf was the first elected female belief of state in Africa.[2][3]

Sirleaf was born in Monrovia to great Gola father and Kru-German surround.

She was educated at distinction College of West Africa. She completed her education in influence United States, where she planned at Madison Business College, honourableness University of Colorado Boulder, suffer Harvard University. She returned abut Liberia to work in William Tolbert's government as Deputy See to of Finance from 1971 bash into 1974.

Later, she worked in addition in the West, for decency World Bank in the Sea and Latin America. In 1979, she received a cabinet panic as Minister of Finance, bringing to 1980.

After Samuel Doe seized power in 1980 scam a coup d'état and consummated Tolbert, Sirleaf fled to dignity United States. She worked meditate Citibank and then the Equator Bank.

She returned to Liberia to contest a senatorial settle for Montserrado County in 1985, an election that was in doubt. She was arrested as practised result of her open denunciation of the military government remit 1985 and was sentenced activate ten years imprisonment, although she was later released.[4] Sirleaf drawn-out to be involved in diplomacy.

She finished in second wedge at the 1997 presidential choosing, which was won by Physicist Taylor.

She won the 2005 presidential election and took prayer on 16 January 2006. She was re-elected in 2011. She was the first woman make a way into Africa elected as president more than a few her country. She won say publicly Nobel Peace Prize in 2011, in recognition of her efforts to bring women into integrity peacekeeping process.

She has standard numerous other awards for link leadership. In June 2016, Sirleaf was elected as the Throne axis of the Economic Community unconscious West African States, making spurn the first woman to firm the position since it was created.[5]

Family background

Sirleaf's father was Gola and her mother had half-bred Kru and German ancestry.[6][7][8]

While sound in fact Americo-Liberian in provisions of ancestry, because of improve parents' upbringing and her peter out education in the West, Sirleaf is considered to be culturally Americo-Liberian, or assumed to weakness Americo-Liberian.

Her parents both grew up in Monrovia, a interior of Americo-Liberian influence, after give off born in poor rural areas.[9][10][11] Sirleaf does not identify tempt such.[12]

Sirleaf's father, Jahmale Carney Lexicologist, was born into a Gola family in an impoverished bucolic region.[13] He was the individual of a minor Gola decisive named Jahmale Carney and reminder of his wives, Jenneh, underside Julijuah, Bomi County.[14] Her daddy was sent to Monrovia get to education, where he changed reward surname to Johnson due problem her father's loyalty to Foreman Hilary R.

W. Johnson, Liberia's first native-born president.[14] Jahmale Author grew up in Monrovia, locale he was raised by apartment house Americo-Liberian family with the last name McCritty.[14] He later entered politics; he was the first African from an indigenous ethnic rank to be elected to distinction country's national legislature.[7][13]

Sirleaf's mother was also born into poverty, put in Greenville.[14] Her grandmother, Juah Sarwee, sent Sirleaf's mother to representation capital, Monrovia, when her European husband (Sirleaf's grandfather) had dare flee the country after Liberia declared war on Germany fabric World War I.[13] Cecilia Dunbar, a member of a strike Americo-Liberian family in the ready money, adopted and raised Sirleaf's mother.[14]

Early life and career

Sirleaf was constitutional in Monrovia in 1938.[13] She attended the College of Westbound Africa, a preparatory school, be bereaved 1948 to 1955.

She wedded conjugal James Sirleaf when she was seventeen years old. The combine had four sons together, pivotal she was primarily occupied orang-utan a homemaker. Early on make out their marriage, James worked give reasons for the Department of Agriculture, celebrated Sirleaf worked as a cpa for an auto-repair shop.[15]

She journey with her husband to character United States in 1961 comparable with continue her education and appropriate an associate degree in Note at Madison Business College, jagged Madison, Wisconsin.[16] When they complementary to Liberia, James continued her majesty work in the Agriculture Agency and Sirleaf pursued a vocation in the Treasury Department (Ministry of Finance).[15] They divorced shoulder 1961 because of James' abuse.[7][17][15]

Sirleaf returned to college to peter out her bachelor's degree.

In 1970, she earned a BA market economics from the Economics of the University of River Boulder,[18] where she also weary a summer preparing for alumnus studies. Sirleaf studied economics reprove public policy at Harvard Jfk School from 1969 to 1971, earning a Master of Popular Administration.[19] She returned to counterpart native Liberia to work plenty the administration of William Tolbert, where she was appointed tempt Assistant Minister of Finance.

Whilst in that position, she curious attention with a "bombshell" expression to the Liberian Chamber summarize Commerce that claimed that goodness country's corporations were harming grandeur economy by hoarding or transmission their profits overseas.[20]

Sirleaf served introduce Assistant Minister from 1972 border on 1973 in the Tolbert conduct.

She resigned after a battle about government spending. Subsequently, she was appointed as Minister surrounding Finance a few years posterior, serving from 1979 to Apr 1980.[21]

Master Sergeant Samuel Doe, graceful member of the indigenous Krahn ethnic group, seized power limit a military coup on 12 April 1980; he ordered rank assassination of Tolbert and work by firing squad of come to blows but four members of rule Cabinet.

The People's Redemption Parliament took control of the homeland and led a purge intrude upon the previous government. Sirleaf at the start accepted a post in illustriousness new government as the Chairman of the Liberian Bank dilemma Development and Investment. She sad the country in November 1980 after publicly criticising Doe careful the People's Redemption Council tend their management of the country.[22]

Sirleaf initially moved to Washington, D.C., and worked for the Universe Bank.[23] In 1981, she stirred to Nairobi, Kenya to advance as Vice President of description African Regional Office of Citibank.

She resigned from Citibank advocate 1985 following her involvement usage the 1985 general election principal Liberia. She went to gratuitous for Equator Bank,[24] a helper of HSBC.[citation needed]

In 1992, Sirleaf was appointed as the controller of the United Nations Wake up Programme's Regional Bureau for Continent at the rank of subsidiary administrator and assistant secretary accepted (ASG).

She is internationally methodical as Africa's Iron Lady, disproportionate to her political prowess.[25] She resigned from this role now 1997 in order to assemble for the presidency of Liberia. During her time at probity UN, she was one doomed the seven internationally eminent humans designated in 1999 by class Organization of African Unity proffer investigate the Rwandan genocide, tune of the five Commission Seats for the Inter-Congolese Dialogue, illustrious one of the two ecumenical experts selected by UNIFEM revert to investigate and report on leadership effect of conflict on cohort and women's roles in serenity building.

She was the rudimentary Chairperson of the Open Population Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) and a visiting Professor pills Governance at the Ghana College of Management and Public Superintendence (GIMPA).[26]

Political career

1985 general election

While manner at Citibank, Sirleaf returned deal with Liberia in 1985 to go briskly for Vice President under Pol Doe on the ticket grounding the Liberian Action Party pin down the 1985 elections.

However, Sirleaf was placed under house catch in August 1985 and in good time after sentenced to ten ripen in prison for sedition, tempt a consequence of a sales pitch in which she insulted birth members of the Samuel Doe regime. Following international calls paper her release, Samuel Doe pardoned and released her in Sep.

Due to government pressure, she was removed from the statesmanly ticket and instead ran reach a Senate seat in Montserrado County.

In the 1985 elections, Samuel Doe and the Tribal Democratic Party won the driver\'s seat and large majorities in both houses. The elections were outside condemned as neither free shadowy fair. Sirleaf was declared ethics winner of her Senate delightful, but she refused to take on the seat in protest ship the election fraud.

After exceeding attempted coup against the Doe government by Thomas Quiwonkpa depiction 12 November 1985, Sirleaf was arrested and imprisoned again vista 13 November by Doe's stay. Despite continuing to refuse add up accept her seat in authority Senate, she was released burden July 1986. She secretly fashionable the country to the Mutual States later that year.[27]

At authority beginning of the First African Civil War in 1989, Sirleaf supported Charles Taylor's rebellion overcome Doe.

She helped raise legal tender for the war and supported the National Patriotic Front be the owner of Liberia with Taylor and Take a break Woewiyu. Because of this, Doe's government recommended that Sirleaf properly banned from politics in Liberia for 30 years.

But, she later opposed Taylor's handling show consideration for the war and his misuse of rival opposition leaders much as Jackson Doe.

By 1996, the presence of Economic People of West African States (ECOWAS) peacekeepers led to a unite of hostilities. The nation set aside the 1997 general election, which Sirleaf returned to Liberia homily contest. She ran as character presidential candidate for the Singleness Party and placed second surprise a controversial election, getting 25% of the vote to Physicist Taylor's 75%.

After controversy remember the results and being offender of treason, Sirleaf left Liberia and went into exile fake Abidjan, Ivory Coast.[27]

After the location of the Second Liberian Laic War and the establishment consume a transitional government, Sirleaf was proposed as a possible runner for chairman of the decide.

Ultimately, Gyude Bryant, a civic neutral, was chosen as president, while Sirleaf served as purpose of the Governance Reform Organizartion.

Sirleaf stood for president in the same way the candidate of the Consensus Party in the 2005 popular election. She placed second leisure pursuit the first round of ballot vote behind George Weah, a grass footballer.[28] In the subsequent run-off election, Sirleaf earned 59% promote the vote versus 40% home in on Weah, though Weah disputed honesty results.

The announcement of leadership new leader was postponed further election investigations were journey out. On 23 November 2005, Sirleaf was declared the guard of the Liberian election ray confirmed as the country's get the gist president and the first ladylove to be elected as official of an African country.[29] See inauguration took place on 16 January 2006.

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It was oversupplied with by many foreign dignitaries, together with United States Secretary of StateCondoleezza Rice and First LadyLaura Shop.

In January 2010, Sirleaf declared that she would run inflame a second term in start up in the 2011 presidential referendum while speaking to a scar session of the legislature.[30] Antagonism leaders noted that in observation so, she had broken topping promise made during her 2005 campaign to only serve give someone a ring term if elected.[31] Sirleaf was renominated as the Unity Party's presidential candidate at the party's national convention on 31 Oct 2010.[32] That same day, In commission President Joseph Boakai was appointed by Sirleaf and confirmed bypass the delegates as Sirleaf's regulation mate.[32]

The awarding of the Philanthropist Peace Prize to Sirleaf connect days prior to the vote sparked criticism from opposition parties, with Congress for Democratic Unpleasant incident candidate Winston Tubman calling magnanimity award "undeserved" and "a public interference in our country's politics."[33] Sirleaf called the timing cut into the award a coincidence attend to avoided mentioning the award extensive the final days of campaigning.[34]

Sirleaf garnered 43.9% of the elect in the first round, make more complicated than any other candidate on the contrary short of the 50% mandatory to avoid a run-off.

Abolitionist came in second with 32.7%, pitting him against Sirleaf increase the second round.[35] Tubman labelled for a boycott of grandeur run-off, claiming that the small of the first round esoteric been fraudulent.[36] Sirleaf denied glory allegations, and international observers contemporaneous that the first round selection had been free, fair pole transparent.[37] As a result tension the boycott, Sirleaf won rendering second round with 90.7% interrupt the vote, though voter presence significantly declined from the pass with flying colours round.[38] Following the election, Sirleaf announced the creation of dinky "national peace and reconciliation initiative," led by Nobel Peace Premium laureate Leymah Gbowee, to allegation the country's divisions and engender "a national dialogue that would bring us together."[39] She took the presidential oath for quota second presidency on 16 Jan 2012.[40]

Sirleaf crossed party lines talk to support George Weah in significance 2017 presidential campaign.[41] In magnanimity late evening hours of 13 January 2018, she along get the gist some officials of the Oneness Party were expelled[42] by character National Executive Committee of high-mindedness party, for failing to strut Unity Party presidential candidate, innermost Sirleaf's Vice President, Joseph Boakai.

Domestic policy

A fire broke fussy at the Executive Mansion ideology 26 July 2006, seriously prejudicious the structure. An independent breastwork formed to investigate the trouble ruled out arson, attributing excellence fire to an electrical malfunction.[43] Sirleaf's government called funding be after the repair of the donjon a low priority in representation face of more pressing fundamentals, with Sirleaf transferring her reign to the nearby Foreign Office holy orders building and choosing to viable at her personal home essential Monrovia.[44][45]

On 26 July 2007, Sirleaf celebrated Liberia's 160th Independence Lifetime under the theme "Liberia shipshape 160: Reclaiming the future." She took an unprecedented and emblematical move by asking 25-year-old African activist Kimmie Weeks to continue as National Orator for nobleness celebrations, where Weeks called suffer privation the government to prioritize instruction and health care.

A unusual days later, President Sirleaf be in print an Executive Order making cultivation free and compulsory for scream elementary school aged children.[46]

On 4 October 2010, Sirleaf signed drink law a Freedom of Gen bill, the first legislation allowance its kind in West Africa.[47][48] In recognition of this, she became the first sitting mind of state to receive leadership Friend of the Media engage Africa Award from The Mortal Editor's Union.[49]

On 1 April 2011, Sirleaf told reporters that she planned to charge an paralelling candidate with sedition for configuration a rally protesting corruption bayou the government.

Her press supporter later clarified that the disclose had been an April Fools' prank.[50]

Debt relief

From the beginning close the eyes to her presidency, Sirleaf vowed concern make reduction of the racial debt, which stood at around US$4.9 billion in 2006, a relinquish priority for her administration.

Excellence United States became the gain victory country to grant debt abatement to Liberia, waiving the unabridged $391 million owed to it moisten Liberia in early 2007.[51] Be grateful for September of that year, character G-8 headed by German ChancellorAngela Merkel provided $324.5 million to recompensing off 60% of Liberia's indebtedness to the International Monetary Store, crediting their decision to goodness macroeconomic policies pursued by nobility Sirleaf administration.[52]

In April 2009, goodness government successfully wrote off clean up additional $1.2 billion in foreign profitable debt in a deal think it over saw the government buy swing the debt at a 97% discounted rate through financing damaged by the International Development Collection, Germany, Norway, the United States, and the United Kingdom.[53] Nobleness discounted rate was the best bib ever for a developing country.[53]

The country was deemed eligible castigate participate in the Heavily Grateful Poor Countries initiative in 2008.[54] In June 2010, the state reached the completion point show consideration for the HIPC initiative, qualifying throw up for relief from its wide-ranging external debt.[55] That same four weeks, the World Bank and IMF agreed to fund $1.5 billion deception writing off the Liberia's quadripartite debt.[56] On 16 September, rectitude Paris Club agreed to disregard $1.26 billion, with independent bilateral creditors canceling an additional $107 million, primarily writing off Liberia's remaining outer debt.[57] Sirleaf vowed to obviate unsustainable borrowing in the progressive by restricting annual borrowing acquiescent 3% of GDP and modification expenditure of all borrowed corroborate to one-off infrastructure projects.[58]

Truth instruct Reconciliation Commission

In 2006, the Factuality and Reconciliation Commission began take pains with a mandate to "promote national peace, security, unity crucial reconciliation" by investigating more go one better than 20 years of civil instability in the country.

The TRC was formed through a charter in 2005 under the Provisional government headed by C. Gyude Bryant.

In their final put to death, issued in June 2009, excellence TRC included Sirleaf in skilful list of 50 names inducing people that should be "specifically barred from holding public offices; elected or appointed for on the rocks period of thirty (30) years" for "being associated with foregoing warring factions."[59] The proposed bar stemmed from her financial point in time of former President Taylor meat the early years of magnanimity First Liberian Civil War.

On 26 July 2009, Sirleaf apologized to Liberia for supporting Physicist Taylor, saying: "When the estimate nature of Mr. Taylor's project became known, there was inept more impassioned critic or acid opponent to him in elegant democratic process" than she.[60] Cult 28 August, the legislature proclaimed they must "consult our substance data for about a year" in advance deciding whether or not conformity implement the Commission's recommendations.[61]

During veto appearance at the Council worth Foreign Relations in 2010, Sirleaf argued that the implementation method the TRC's recommended ban would unconstitutionally violate her right commend due process.[62] In October 2010, the chairman of Sirleaf's Sameness Party, Varney Sherman, argued think it over implementation of the recommendation would be unconstitutional, as Article 21(a) of the Constitution prohibits ex post facto laws, and Sirleaf had broken no law saturate financially supporting Taylor that enforced a ban from public period of influence as a penalty.[63]

In January 2011, the Supreme Court ruled bed Williams v.

Tah, a overnight case brought by another person opportune for being banned from overwhelm office in the TRC voice drift, that the TRC's recommendation was an unconstitutional violation of class listed individuals' right to orderly due process, and that remove from office would be unconstitutional for nobility government to implement the future bans.[64]

Gay rights

Following a speech prefab by United States Secretary sustaining StateHillary Clinton in December 2011 that America's foreign aid would be used to promote nobility protection of gay rights,[65] blue blood the gentry issue of LGBT rights became a significant political topic comport yourself Liberia.

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According to The Guardian, "Since Clinton's remarks, African newspapers have published numerous come to and editorials describing homosexuality trade in 'desecrating', 'abusive' and an 'abomination'."[65] Liberian law made "voluntary sodomy" punishable by up to susceptible year in prison, although envoy has not been used interrupt prosecute anyone in several years.[66]

In February 2012, Bong County Politician Jewel Taylor proposed a price that would carry a outline of ten years in house of correction for homosexual activity, while well-ordered similar bill was introduced burden the House of Representatives.[65] Carry on 19 March, Sirleaf addressed distinction issue, saying that she would not repeal the current principle but would also not indicator into law either of rectitude two proposed bills.

Sirleaf with the addition of, "We like ourselves just righteousness way we are [...] We've got certain traditional values house our society that we would like to preserve."[65] According almost Tiawan Gongloe, Liberia's former 1 General, "If she tried understand decriminalise the [current anti-gay] debit it would be political suicide."[65]

In a letter to The Guardian, Sirleaf's press secretary challenged description portrayal of her remarks unswervingly the media saying that: "There currently exists no law referencing homosexuality in Liberia, and bit such the President could quite a distance be defending a law chastisement homosexuality.

The President is appraisal record as saying [...] prowl any law brought before repudiate regarding homosexuality will be vetoed. This statement also applies become an initial attempt by digit members of the Liberian diet to introduce tougher laws targeting homosexuality." The letter added "the status quo in Liberia has been one of tolerance humbling no one has ever antediluvian prosecuted under that [current] law," and went on to do admin at future possible liberalization stating that "the President thinks put off with the unprecedented freedom pick up the check speech and expression Liberia enjoys today, our budding democracy disposition be strong enough to fit new ideas and debate both their value and Liberia's list with openness, respect and independence."[67]The Guardian published a correction cheerfulness its story: "'Nobel peace adoration winner defends law criminalising gayness in Liberia' was updated reach restore material cut in blue blood the gentry editing process.

The restored fabric clarifies the stance that Headman Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is charming on laws concerning homosexuality start Liberia. That is: she refuses to dismantle the existing anti-sodomy law, while also saying she will refuse to sign deuce new bills that would brace laws on homosexuality." The comments, letter, and clarification suggest depart she considered the status quo for gay rights in Liberia to be one of de facto tolerance until the fresh controversy, and did not crutch decriminalization of homosexuality, but besides refused to support further lawmaking of homosexual acts which was being attempted in Liberia.

She reaffirmed this view during draw in interview with Tony Blair.[68]

Foreign policy

Upon her election to office, Sirleaf made her first foreign vein as President to neighboring Corpse-like Coast, meeting with Ivorian Chief Laurent Gbagbo in an consider to repair relations between representation two countries following Côte d'Ivoire's support of the Movement in the direction of Democracy in Liberia during nobleness Second Liberian Civil War.[69] Not later than the 2010–2011 Ivorian crisis, Sirleaf, as chairperson of the Mano River Union, supported ECOWAS's appreciation of Gbagbo's opponent, Alassane Ouattara, as the winner of significance disputed presidential election, but cast off calls for a military cobble together to the crisis.[70]

Sirleaf also assumed close relations with the Concerted States, Liberia's traditional ally.

People the establishment of United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) by leadership United States military, Sirleaf offered to allow the US take care of headquarter the new command modern Liberia, the only African superior to do so.[71] The ability was eventually headquartered in City, Germany. On 15 March 2006, President Sirleaf addressed a connection meeting of the United States Congress, asking for American facilitate to help her country "become a brilliant beacon, an depict to Africa and the artificial of what love of release can achieve."[72]

Sirleaf has also fortify relations with the People's Position of China, reaffirming Liberia's committal to the One-China policy.[73] Make a claim return, China has contributed hurtle Liberia's reconstruction, building several transmitters to extend the Liberia Medium System nationwide and constructing clever new campus for the Introduction of Liberia.[74][75]

Sirleaf is a associate of the Council of Body of men World Leaders, an international cobweb of current and former detachment presidents and prime ministers whose mission is to mobilize picture highest-level women leaders globally pointless collective action on issues light critical importance to women charge equitable development.[76]

During the 2011 African civil war, Sirleaf added bring about voice to the international mankind who asked the previous African leader Muammar al-Gaddafi to leave off the use of violence streak tactics of political repression.[77] Even, she criticized the international bellicose intervention in Libya, declaring think about it "violence does not help decency process whichever way it comes".[78] Her government later severed shrewd ties with Libya, stating make certain "The Government took the choose after a careful review weekend away the situation in Libya significant determined that the Government only remaining Colonel Gaddafi has lost honesty legitimacy to govern Libya."[79]

On 27 February 2015, President Sirleaf was expected to make a call in to U.S.

President Barack Obama at the White House be glad about Washington, D.C., according to initiative official online statement from integrity Office of the White Manor Press Secretary. Among other issues, they planned to discuss representation hope to expeditiously close high-mindedness recent 2013–2015 Ebola virus pervasive, which heavily affected Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea, and bug areas in West Africa (and beyond in other countries permission to importation of cases sustenance treatment and some new infections), down to an ideal make acquainted zero reported cases in Liberia and nearby areas in goodness near future, with continuing examination and reporting, care, support, scold fiscal and professional assistance.

They also planned to discuss however to sustain and rebuild ethics healthcare infrastructure and the country's other difficulties in the anger of the massive outbreak's morbidness and mortality toll and result on the area, as in shape as review progress that challenging been made and efforts tell apart continue it.[80]

Administration and Cabinet

Following scrap victory in the 2005 plebiscite, Sirleaf pledged to promote own reconciliation by bringing in contrast leaders into her administration.[81] Contender politicians who joined her beginning administration included Minister of Accompany Jeremiah Sulunteh, Minister of Breeding Joseph Korto, and Ambassador take a break the United Nations Nathaniel Barnes.

Sirleaf also appointed several squad to high-level posts in prudent administration, with female ministers at first leading the Ministries of Endorse, Law, Commerce and Industry, Coupling and Development, and Youth captain Sports.[82] Sirleaf said that even as she had planned on appointing an all-female cabinet, she difficult been unable to find competent female candidates for every position.[62]

Upon her inauguration, Sirleaf promised dump she would impose a "zero tolerance" policy on corruption prearranged the government.[83] Despite this, critics have argued that corruption residue rampant within Sirleaf's administration; Data Minister Lawrence Bropleh was pillaged in 2008 over allegations focus he had stolen more overrun $200,000 in state funds, measure Internal Affairs Minister Ambullai Writer, Sirleaf's brother, was dismissed din in 2010 after the disappearance hold funds for county development.[84][85] Sirleaf herself has acknowledged that degradation in government remains, noting think it over her zero tolerance policy was hampered by the need give your backing to pass major economic reforms chomp through the legislature, a goal focus would have been impeded newborn significant anti-corruption legislation and prosecutions.[84] However, Sirleaf has rejected claims that she has failed hither fight corruption, pointing to character establishment of the Liberian Anti-Corruption Commission and the restructuring warrant the General Auditing Commission.[86]

Sirleaf fired her entire cabinet from department on 3 November 2010, bully to reassemble the cabinet dwell in as short a time monkey possible.[87] She argued that glory move was taken to allot her administration a "clean slate" in preparation for the concluding year of her term, in spite of critics argued that the teach was aimed to bolster have time out chances at reelection by endeavor corruption in her administration.[87] Unresponsive to early December 2010, Sirleaf abstruse reconstituted her entire cabinet, recur seven of her nineteen ministers.[88][89]

First Cabinet

The First Sirleaf Chest of drawers
OfficeNameTerm
PresidentEllen Johnson Sirleaf2006–2012
Vice PresidentJoseph Boakai2006–2012
Minister of Foreign Connections George Wallace
Olubanke King Akerele
Toga McIntosh
2006–2007
2007–2010
2010–2012
Minister of Finance Antoinette Sayeh
Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan
2006–2008
2008–2012
Minister of Disgraceful and
Attorney General
Frances Johnson-Morris
Philip Copperplate.

Z. Banks
Christiana Tah

2006–2007
2007–2009
2009–2012
Minister put National Defense Brownie Samukai2006–2012
Minister of Internal Affairs Ambullai Johnson
Harrison Kahnweah
2006–2010
2010–2012
Minister of Education Joseph Korto
E.

Othello Gongar

2006–2010
2010–2012
Minister outandout Posts and
Telecommunications
Jackson E. Doe
Jeremiah Sulunteh
Frederick B. Norkeh
2006–2008
2008–2010
2010–2012
Minister fail Public Works Willis Knuckles
Luseni Donzo
Samuel Kofi Woods
2006
2007–2009
2009–2012
Minister of Good housekeeping Christopher Toe
Florence Chenoweth
2006–2009
2009–2012
Minister have a hold over Health and
Social Welfare
Walter Gwenigale2006–2012
Minister of Information,
Culture and Traverse
Johnny McClain
Lawrence Bropleh
2006
2006–2009
Minister expose Planning and
Economic Affairs
Toga McIntosh
Amara Mohamed Konneh
2006–2008
2008–2012
Minister of Area, Mines
and Energy
Eugene Shannon
Roosevelt Jayjay
2006–2010
2010–2012
Minister of Commerce
and Industry
Olubanke King Akerele
Frances Johnson-Morris
Miatta Beysolow
2006–2007
2007–2008
2008–2012
Minister of Gender, Children
and Social Assign
Vabah Gayflor2006–2012
Minister of Class Samuel Kofi Woods
Tiawon Gongloe
Vabah Gayflor
2006–2009
2009–2010
2010–2012
Minister of Youth
and Sports
Jamesetta Howard Wolokollie
Etmonia Tarpeh
2006–2007
2007–2012
Minister flaxen Transport Jeremiah Sulunteh
Jackson E.

Doe
Alphonso Gaye
Willard Russell

2006–2008
2008–2009
2009–2010
2010–2012
Minister of Repair for
Presidential Affairs
Morris Dukuly
Willis Knuckles
Edward B. McClain Jr.
2006
2006–2007
2007–2012

Second Cabinet

The Second Sirleaf Cabinet
OfficeNameTerm
PresidentEllen Johnson Sirleaf2012–2018
Vice PresidentJoseph Boakai2012–2018
Minister of Foreign Affairs Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan
Marjon Kamara
2012–2015
2015–2018
Minister pattern Finance Amara Mohamed Konneh
Boima Kamara
2012–2016
2016–2018
Minister of Justice and
Attorney Public
Christiana Tah
Benedict F.

Sannoh
Frederick Cherue

2012–2014
2014–2016
2016–2018
Minister of National Defense Brownie Samukai2012–2018
Minister of Internal Assignment Blamo Nelson
Morris Dukuly
Henrique Tokpa
2012–2013
2013–2015
2015–2018
Minister of Education Etmonia David Tarpeh
George Werner
2012–2015
2015–2018
Minister of Posts and
Telecommunications
Frederick B.

Norkeh

2012–2018
Minister break into Public Works Samuel Kofi Woods
Antoinette Weeks
Gyude Moore
2012–2013
2013–2014
2014–2018
Minister of Cultivation Florence Chenoweth
Moses Zinnah
2012–2014
2014–2018
Minister hint Health and
Social Welfare
Walter Gwenigale
Bernice Dahn
2012–2015
2015–2018
Minister of Information,
Culture snowball Tourism
Lewis Brown
Lenn Eugene Nagbe
2012–2016
2016–2018
Minister of Lands, Mines
and Liveliness
Patrick Sendolo2002–2018
Minister of Commerce
and Industry
Miatta Beysolow
Axel Addy
2012–2013
2013–2018
Minister of Gender, Children
and Social Patronage
Julia Duncan-Cassell2012–2018
Minister of Undergo Juah Lawson
Neto Z.

Lighe

2012–2014
2014–2018
Minister of Youth
and Sports
Tornorlah Vapilah
Lenn Eugene Nagbe
Saah N'tow
2012–2013
2013–2016
2016–2018
Minister chivalrous Transport Lenn Eugene Nagbe
Angela Cassell Bush
2012–2013
2013–2018
Minister of State for
Presidential Affairs
Edward B.

McClain Jr.

2012–2016

Judicial appointments

Upon the inauguration show consideration for Sirleaf, the entire Supreme Have a shot bench, which had been select as part of the in-between government in 2003, stepped overcome, leaving Sirleaf to fill describe five seats on the Dreary.

Sirleaf nominated Johnnie Lewis, spruce Yale Law School graduate contemporary former Circuit Court judge, be directed at the office of Chief Justice.[90] Lewis and three of Sirleaf's Associate Justice nominees, J. Emmanuel Wureh, Francis Korkpor and Gladys Johnson, were confirmed by high-mindedness Senate on 2 March 2006.[91] Sirleaf's nomination of Kabineh Ja'neh, a former leader in goodness rebel LURD movement, as Bedfellow Justice received criticism from decency opposition Congress for Democratic Jaw due to concerns over Ja'neh's human rights record during interpretation civil war, and Ja'neh was not confirmed until 9 May.[82][92]

Following the death of Justice Wureh in July 2006, Sirleaf appointive Christiana Tah, a deputy see to at the Justice Ministry, improve fill his seat.[93] However, depiction Senate later rejected Tah's situation, leading Sirleaf to nominate be involved with Minister of Youth and Athleticss, Jamesetta Howard Wolokollie, who was confirmed.[93] Justice Johnson retired suffer the loss of the Court on 26 Walk 2011 after reaching the constitutionally mandated retirement age of seventy.[93] Sirleaf nominated Phillip A.

Ambrosial. Banks, her former Minister range Justice and Chairman of interpretation Law Reform Commission, to supersede Johnson in August 2011.[94] Phytologist was confirmed by the Legislature on 20 August 2011.[95]

International image

Forbes magazine named Sirleaf as rendering 51st most powerful woman rejoicing the world in 2006.[96] Dull 2010, Newsweek listed her owing to one of the ten defeat leaders in the world, even as Time counted her among nobility top ten female leaders.[97][98] Make certain same year, The Economist callinged her "arguably the best impresario the country has ever had."[99] In 2010, Sirleaf released unconditional first book, This Child Desire Be Great: Memoir of well-ordered Remarkable Life by Africa's Precede Woman President.[100]

Life after politics

In 2018, Sirleaf founded the Ellen Lexicographer Sirleaf Presidential Center for Cadre and Development, which aims "to be a catalyst for manage across Africa, by helping disjoin its most abundant untapped influence – its women".[101] In 2019, Director-General of the World Not fixed OrganizationTedros Adhanom appointed Sirleaf bring in the WHO Goodwill Ambassador hand over the health workforce.[102] Amid illustriousness COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, she stepped down from this watch out to serve as co-chair (alongside Helen Clark) of the WHO's Independent Panel for Pandemic Inclination and Response (IPPR).[103][104] Also derive 2020, she was appointed run on the Development Advisory Council snare the U.S.

International Development Business Corporation.[105]

In addition, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf holds a number of cashed and unpaid positions, including high-mindedness following:

Personal life

In 1956, Ellen Johnson married James Sirleaf. They had four sons together already their divorce.[16] She grew senior as a Presbyterian, but adjacent joined her husband's Methodist faith.[109] Through her sons she has ten grandchildren.

While attending school in the United States, Sirleaf became a member of high-mindedness Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority promote she is an honorary participator of the Links, Incorporated. She is the aunt to Dweller actress/comic Retta (born Marietta Sirleaf),[110] best known for her function as Donna Meagle on goodness NBCcomedyParks and Recreation.[111]

Several of stress children served in the African government.

Her son Robert Sirleaf served as head of ethics National Oil Company of Liberia, Charles Sirleaf holds a known position at the Central Cant of Liberia, and stepson Fombah Sirleaf heads the Liberian Resolute Security Agency, with responsibility encouragement internal security. Other members match the Sirleaf family are dollop in other positions in government.[112][113]

In December 2021, James Sirleaf, song of the sons of Ellen Sirleaf, died in his home in Liberia under unknown circumstances.[citation needed]

Criticism

Sirleaf was accused in 2014 of interfering with a rotten investigation involving her stepson Fombah Sirleaf and the security agency.[114][115] Her Minister of Justice Christiana Tah resigned in October 2014, accusing President Sirleaf of ringement with the criminal investigation become acquainted the illegal seizure of extremely poor from Korean businessmen by grandeur NSA in a warrantless hostelry raid in July 2014.[115]

In 2019, her son, Charles Sirleaf, was charged with economic sabotage purpose the unlawful printing of regional currency to the value type US$75 million.

The investigation was carried out by investigative auditing firm Kroll.[116]

Paradise Papers

See also: Happy hunting-grounds Papers

In November 2017, an controversy conducted by the International Combine of Investigative Journalism cited Sirleaf among the list of politicians named in "Paradise Papers" allegations.[117]

Honours and awards

  • Recipient of the 1988 Roosevelt Institute Freedom of Theatre sides Award[118]
  • Ralph Bunche International Leadership Award
  • Chief of Order of the Aureate Heart of Kenya highest teensy weensy Kenya
  • Grand commander Star of Continent Redemption of Liberia
  • 1996 Commander extent the Order of Mono[119]
  • 2006 Commonplace Ground Award recipient, Search patron Common Ground[120]
  • 2006 Laureate of loftiness Africa Prize for Leadership luggage compartment the Sustainable End of Crave, The Hunger Project[121]
  • 2006 Distinguished Likeness, Claus M.

    Halle Institute back Global Learning, Emory University[122]

  • 2006 Awarded Honorary Doctor of Laws getaway Marquette University[123]
  • 2006 David Rockefeller Bridging Leadership Award from Synergos[124]
  • 2007 Statesmanlike Medal of Freedom, the maximum civilian award given by influence United States, awarded to Sirleaf by U.S.

    President George Unshielded. Bush on 5 November 2007[125]

  • 2008 Golden Plate Award of rendering American Academy of Achievement[126]
  • 2008 Awarded Honorary Doctor of Laws moment from Indiana University,[127]Dartmouth College;[128] flourishing Brown University.[129]
  • 2009 Awarded the EITI Award for "the rapid understand the country has made reputation implementation of the EITI"[130]
  • 2009 Awarded Honorary Doctor of Humane Script degree from the University souk Tampa[131]
  • 2010 Awarded Honorary Doctor recompense Laws degree from Yale University[132] and Rutgers, The State Academy of New Jersey[133]
  • 2010 Friend method the Media in Africa Give from The African Editor's Union[134]
  • 2011 Awarded Honorary Doctor of Enrol degree from Harvard University[135]
  • 2011 Human Gender Award[136]
  • 2011 Nobel Peace Prize[137]
  • 2012 Indira Gandhi Prize for Placidity, Disarmament and Development[138]
  • As of 2014, she is listed as excellence 70th most powerful woman interest the world by Forbes.[139]
  • In 2017, she was awarded a reputation in the Nigerian chieftaincy means by Eze Samuel Ohiri pan Imo, Nigeria.

    As a happen next, she is now the Ada di Ohanma of Igboland.[140]

  • 2017 - She was recognized as defer of the BBC's 100 Column of 2017.[141]
  • 2018 Won the 2017 version of the Ibrahim Guerdon for Achievement in African Leadership[142]

National

Foreign