Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
Liberia
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is the president of Liberia. She took office in early 2006 from a transitional government as the first democratically elected female president of Liberia and Africa.
Professional Information
Professional Areas:
Government
Working primarily in:
Liberia
Description of Work:
Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf played an active role in the transitional
government as the country prepared for the 2005 elections, and
eventually stood for president against her rival the ex-international
footballer, George Manneh Weah. On 23 November 2005, Ellen
Johnson-Sirleaf was declared the winner of the Liberian election and
confirmed as the country's next president. Her inauguration, attended
by the likes of US First Lady Laura Bush and Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice, took place on Monday 16 January, 2006.
Biographical Information
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
(At a Glance)
Date of Birth: Oct/29/1939
Location:
City: Monrovia
Place of Origin: Liberia
Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf told
AllAfrica in a 1986 interview, shortly after being arrested and fleeing
the country, that her goal in life was to "bring good governance to
Liberia before I die." Since her inauguration in January 2006, she has
had the chance to try, and she acknowledges the magnitude of the
challenge. Two years into her presidency, she thinks the campaign
against corruption and the process of delivering health services,
education and jobs has gained traction, and she is encouraged. But she
says the region is troubled, peace is fragile and Liberia must have
help to deliver a democracy dividend and preserve stability.
