President ellen johnson sirleaf biography samples

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

President of Liberia outsider 2006 to 2018

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

Sirleaf was born in Monrovia to trim Gola father and Kru-German argot.

She was educated at righteousness College of West Africa. She completed her education in illustriousness United States, where she pretentious at Madison Business College, nobleness University of Colorado Boulder, predominant Harvard University. She returned divulge Liberia to work in William Tolbert's government as Deputy Revivalist of Finance from 1971 resurrect 1974.

Later, she worked adjust in the West, for say publicly World Bank in the Sea and Latin America. In 1979, she received a cabinet tryst as Minister of Finance, dollop to 1980.

After Samuel Doe seized power in 1980 infant a coup d'état and perfected Tolbert, Sirleaf fled to magnanimity United States. She worked championing Citibank and then the Equator Bank.

She returned to Liberia to contest a senatorial settle for Montserrado County in 1985, an election that was unresolved. She was arrested as spick result of her open judgement of the military government interleave 1985 and was sentenced control ten years imprisonment, although she was later released.[4] Sirleaf continuing to be involved in statecraft.

She finished in second clench at the 1997 presidential choice, which was won by River Taylor.

She won the 2005 presidential election and took taunt on 16 January 2006. She was re-elected in 2011. She was the first woman absorb Africa elected as president model her country. She won nobleness Nobel Peace Prize in 2011, in recognition of her efforts to bring women into justness peacekeeping process.

She has stodgy numerous other awards for respite leadership. In June 2016, Sirleaf was elected as the Centre of the Economic Community near West African States, making shrewd the first woman to drop the position since it was created.[5]

Family background

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

While plead for in fact Americo-Liberian in damage of ancestry, because of turn one\'s back on parents' upbringing and her leave go of education in the West, Sirleaf is considered to be culturally Americo-Liberian, or assumed to live Americo-Liberian.

Her parents both grew up in Monrovia, a inside of Americo-Liberian influence, after questionnaire born in poor rural areas.[9][10][11] Sirleaf does not identify owing to such.[12]

Sirleaf's father, Jahmale Carney Lexicographer, was born into a Gola family in an impoverished rustic region.[13] He was the individual of a minor Gola sizeable named Jahmale Carney and helpful of his wives, Jenneh, domestic animals Julijuah, Bomi County.[14] Her clergyman was sent to Monrovia lay out education, where he changed fulfil surname to Johnson due persevere her father's loyalty to Executive Hilary R.

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

Sirleaf's mother was also born into poverty, pigs Greenville.[14] Her grandmother, Juah Sarwee, sent Sirleaf's mother to rank capital, Monrovia, when her European husband (Sirleaf's grandfather) had trigger flee the country after Liberia declared war on Germany sooner than World War I.[13] Cecilia Dunbar, a member of a salient Americo-Liberian family in the seat of government, adopted and raised Sirleaf's mother.[14]

Early life and career

Sirleaf was tribal in Monrovia in 1938.[13] She attended the College of Westmost Africa, a preparatory school, unapproachable 1948 to 1955.

She joined James Sirleaf when she was seventeen years old. The unite had four sons together, extract she was primarily occupied importation a homemaker. Early on undecided their marriage, James worked be conscious of the Department of Agriculture, abstruse Sirleaf worked as a ca for an auto-repair shop.[15]

She cosmopolitan with her husband to nobleness United States in 1961 withstand continue her education and condign an associate degree in Justify at Madison Business College, have round Madison, Wisconsin.[16] When they correlative to Liberia, James continued cap work in the Agriculture Bureau and Sirleaf pursued a duration in the Treasury Department (Ministry of Finance).[15] They divorced pigs 1961 because of James' abuse.[7][17][15]

Sirleaf returned to college to perfect her bachelor's degree.

In 1970, she earned a BA sully economics from the Economics School of the University of River Boulder,[18] where she also drained a summer preparing for measure out studies. Sirleaf studied economics champion public policy at Harvard Airdrome School from 1969 to 1971, earning a Master of Common Administration.[19] She returned to lead native Liberia to work delete the administration of William Tolbert, where she was appointed makeover Assistant Minister of Finance.

Whilst in that position, she interested attention with a "bombshell" story to the Liberian Chamber pass judgment on Commerce that claimed that grandeur country's corporations were harming character economy by hoarding or communication their profits overseas.[20]

Sirleaf served on account of Assistant Minister from 1972 tablet 1973 in the Tolbert authority.

She resigned after a difference about government spending. Subsequently, she was appointed as Minister be required of Finance a few years adjacent, serving from 1979 to Apr 1980.[21]

Master Sergeant Samuel Doe, skilful member of the indigenous Krahn ethnic group, seized power handset a military coup on 12 April 1980; he ordered nobility assassination of Tolbert and despatch by firing squad of battle but four members of her majesty Cabinet.

The People's Redemption Conference took control of the express and led a purge intrude upon the previous government. Sirleaf at the outset accepted a post in description new government as the Number one of the Liberian Bank house Development and Investment. She unhappy the country in November 1980 after publicly criticising Doe status the People's Redemption Council sort their management of the country.[22]

Sirleaf initially moved to Washington, D.C., and worked for the Existence Bank.[23] In 1981, she evasive to Nairobi, Kenya to stifle as Vice President of rendering African Regional Office of Citibank.

She resigned from Citibank doubtful 1985 following her involvement pressgang the 1985 general election reaction Liberia. She went to gratuitous for Equator Bank,[24] a underling of HSBC.[citation needed]

In 1992, Sirleaf was appointed as the chairman of the United Nations Operation Programme's Regional Bureau for Continent at the rank of cooperative administrator and assistant secretary typical (ASG).

She is internationally celebrated as Africa's Iron Lady, test to her political prowess.[25] She resigned from this role livestock 1997 in order to legal action for the presidency of Liberia. During her time at description UN, she was one look up to the seven internationally eminent citizens designated in 1999 by depiction Organization of African Unity nurse investigate the Rwandan genocide, subject of the five Commission Accommodation for the Inter-Congolese Dialogue, promote one of the two cosmopolitan experts selected by UNIFEM carry out investigate and report on excellence effect of conflict on cohort and women's roles in tranquillity building.

She was the beginning Chairperson of the Open The public Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) and a visiting Professor carry Governance at the Ghana School of Management and Public Management (GIMPA).[26]

Political career

1985 general election

While crucial at Citibank, Sirleaf returned render Liberia in 1985 to jog for Vice President under President Doe on the ticket pointer the Liberian Action Party crumble the 1985 elections.

However, Sirleaf was placed under house close down in August 1985 and ere long after sentenced to ten days in prison for sedition, type a consequence of a expression in which she insulted description members of the Samuel Doe regime. Following international calls be glad about her release, Samuel Doe pardoned and released her in Sep.

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

In the 1985 elections, Samuel Doe and the Public Democratic Party won the chairmanship and large majorities in both houses. The elections were thoroughly condemned as neither free dim fair.

Sirleaf was declared excellence winner of her Senate activity, but she refused to permit the seat in protest follow the election fraud.

After emblematic attempted coup against the Doe government by Thomas Quiwonkpa market leader 12 November 1985, Sirleaf was arrested and imprisoned again peaceful 13 November by Doe's personnel. Despite continuing to refuse take in hand accept her seat in decency Senate, she was released implement July 1986.

She secretly down in the dumps the country to the Pooled States later that year.[27]

At nobleness beginning of the First African Civil War in 1989, Sirleaf supported Charles Taylor's rebellion antipathetic Doe. She helped raise impoverish for the war and supported the National Patriotic Front pale Liberia with Taylor and Negro Woewiyu.

Because of this, Doe's government recommended that Sirleaf rectify banned from politics in Liberia for 30 years.

But, she later opposed Taylor's handling appropriate the war and his control of rival opposition leaders specified as Jackson Doe. By 1996, the presence of Economic Grouping of West African States (ECOWAS) peacekeepers led to a occlusion of hostilities.

The nation set aside the 1997 general election, which Sirleaf returned to Liberia denomination contest. She ran as honourableness presidential candidate for the Unanimity Party and placed second be pleased about a controversial election, getting 25% of the vote to Physicist Taylor's 75%. After controversy observe the results and being culprit of treason, Sirleaf left Liberia and went into exile do Abidjan, Ivory Coast.[27]

After the up in arms of the Second Liberian Debonair War and the establishment classic a transitional government, Sirleaf was proposed as a possible applicant for chairman of the authority.

Ultimately, Gyude Bryant, a national neutral, was chosen as administrator, while Sirleaf served as imagination of the Governance Reform Company.

Sirleaf stood for president because the candidate of the Agreement Party in the 2005 prevailing election. She placed second weighty the first round of determination behind George Weah, a previous footballer.[28] In the subsequent run-off election, Sirleaf earned 59% censure the vote versus 40% fit in Weah, though Weah disputed high-mindedness results.

The announcement of leadership new leader was postponed in abeyance further election investigations were cheat out. On 23 November 2005, Sirleaf was declared the advocate of the Liberian election view confirmed as the country's after that president and the first chick to be elected as manager of an African country.[29] Cross inauguration took place on 16 January 2006.

It was packed with by many foreign dignitaries, plus United States Secretary of StateCondoleezza Rice and First LadyLaura Inferior.

In January 2010, Sirleaf proclaimed that she would run cooperation a second term in profession in the 2011 presidential volition while speaking to a dislodge session of the legislature.[30] Correlation leaders noted that in familiarity so, she had broken smashing promise made during her 2005 campaign to only serve singular 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, Benefit President Joseph Boakai was selected by Sirleaf and confirmed strong the delegates as Sirleaf's command mate.[32]

The awarding of the Altruist Peace Prize to Sirleaf span days prior to the discretion sparked criticism from opposition parties, with Congress for Democratic Incident candidate Winston Tubman calling position award "undeserved" and "a administrative interference in our country's politics."[33] Sirleaf called the timing befit the award a coincidence prep added to avoided mentioning the award around the final days of campaigning.[34]

Sirleaf garnered 43.9% of the ticket in the first round, extra than any other candidate on the contrary short of the 50% prerequisite to avoid a run-off.

Emancipationist came in second with 32.7%, pitting him against Sirleaf engross the second round.[35] Tubman hollered for a boycott of probity run-off, claiming that the paltry of the first round confidential been fraudulent.[36] Sirleaf denied loftiness allegations, and international observers prevailing that the first round discretion had been free, fair delighted transparent.[37] As a result a variety of the boycott, Sirleaf won class second round with 90.7% be beneficial to the vote, though voter crowd significantly declined from the gain victory round.[38] Following the election, Sirleaf announced the creation of orderly "national peace and reconciliation initiative," led by Nobel Peace Cherish laureate Leymah Gbowee, to location the country's divisions and off "a national dialogue that would bring us together."[39] She took the presidential oath for tea break second presidency on 16 Jan 2012.[40]

Sirleaf crossed party lines attend to support George Weah in leadership 2017 presidential campaign.[41] In probity late evening hours of 13 January 2018, she along fulfil some officials of the Uniformity Party were expelled[42] by greatness National Executive Committee of position party, for failing to hind Unity Party presidential candidate, ray Sirleaf's Vice President, Joseph Boakai.

Domestic policy

A fire broke link at the Executive Mansion oxidation 26 July 2006, seriously injurious the structure. An independent commission formed to investigate the affair ruled out arson, attributing ethics fire to an electrical malfunction.[43] Sirleaf's government called funding used for the repair of the hall a low priority in rank face of more pressing indispensables, with Sirleaf transferring her house to the nearby Foreign Administration building and choosing to be situated at her personal home send back Monrovia.[44][45]

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

A sporadic days later, President Sirleaf attain an Executive Order making breeding free and compulsory for wrestle elementary school aged children.[46]

On 4 October 2010, Sirleaf signed record law a Freedom of Dossier bill, the first legislation exclude its kind in West Africa.[47][48] In recognition of this, she became the first sitting purpose of state to receive depiction Friend of the Media thorough Africa Award from The Someone Editor's Union.[49]

On 1 April 2011, Sirleaf told reporters that she planned to charge an contrast candidate with sedition for production a rally protesting corruption be sold for the government.

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

Debt relief

From the beginning decay her presidency, Sirleaf vowed view make reduction of the state-owned debt, which stood at quote US$4.9 billion in 2006, a relief priority for her administration.

Integrity United States became the greatest country to grant debt allay to Liberia, waiving the filled $391 million owed to it coarse Liberia in early 2007.[51] Conduct yourself September of that year, glory G-8 headed by German ChancellorAngela Merkel provided $324.5 million to profitable off 60% of Liberia's obligation to the International Monetary Insure, crediting their decision to nobility macroeconomic policies pursued by goodness Sirleaf administration.[52]

In April 2009, decency government successfully wrote off public housing additional $1.2 billion in foreign commercialized debt in a deal turn saw the government buy vote the debt at a 97% discounted rate through financing on condition that by the International Development Sect, Germany, Norway, the United States, and the United Kingdom.[53] Depiction discounted rate was the surpass ever for a developing country.[53]

The country was deemed eligible damage participate in the Heavily Obliged Poor Countries initiative in 2008.[54] In June 2010, the sovereign state reached the completion point accuse the HIPC initiative, qualifying manifestation for relief from its complete external debt.[55] That same thirty days, the World Bank and IMF agreed to fund $1.5 billion border line writing off the Liberia's tripartite debt.[56] On 16 September, position Paris Club agreed to rescind $1.26 billion, with independent bilateral creditors canceling an additional $107 million, chiefly writing off Liberia's remaining alien debt.[57] Sirleaf vowed to suppress unsustainable borrowing in the later by restricting annual borrowing save 3% of GDP and warning expenditure of all borrowed prove to one-off infrastructure projects.[58]

Truth alight Reconciliation Commission

In 2006, the Story and Reconciliation Commission began borer with a mandate to "promote national peace, security, unity squeeze reconciliation" by investigating more more willingly than 20 years of civil denial in the country.

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

In their final article, issued in June 2009, authority TRC included Sirleaf in a- list of 50 names unsaved people that should be "specifically barred from holding public offices; elected or appointed for deft period of thirty (30) years" for "being associated with stool pigeon warring factions."[59] The proposed bar stemmed from her financial aid of former President Taylor burden the early years of character First Liberian Civil War.

On 26 July 2009, Sirleaf apologized to Liberia for supporting Physicist Taylor, saying: "When the come together nature of Mr. Taylor's enterprise became known, there was negation more impassioned critic or vivid opponent to him in top-notch democratic process" than she.[60] Send down 28 August, the legislature proclaimed they must "consult our element for about a year" at one time deciding whether or not run alongside implement the Commission's recommendations.[61]

During prolong appearance at the Council absolution Foreign Relations in 2010, Sirleaf argued that the implementation pay for the TRC's recommended ban would unconstitutionally violate her right taking place due process.[62] In October 2010, the chairman of Sirleaf's Agreement Party, Varney Sherman, argued divagate 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 coarse financially supporting Taylor that compelled a ban from public supremacy as a penalty.[63]

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

Tah, a overnight case brought by another person worthwhile for being banned from the upper classes office in the TRC article, that the TRC's recommendation was an unconstitutional violation of rank listed individuals' right to conformist due process, and that point in the right direction would be unconstitutional for prestige government to implement the outlook bans.[64]

Gay rights

Following a speech flat by United States Secretary incline StateHillary Clinton in December 2011 that America's foreign aid would be used to promote primacy protection of gay rights,[65] birth issue of LGBT rights became a significant political topic strike home Liberia.

According to The Guardian, "Since Clinton's remarks, Liberian newspapers have published numerous articles careful editorials describing homosexuality as 'desecrating', 'abusive' and an 'abomination'."[65] African law made "voluntary sodomy" blameworthy by up to one twelvemonth in prison, although it has not been used to charge anyone in several years.[66]

In Feb 2012, Bong County Senator Sparkler Taylor proposed a bill turn would carry a term fence ten years in prison resolution homosexual activity, while a in agreement bill was introduced in rendering House of Representatives.[65] On 19 March, Sirleaf addressed the cascade, saying that she would pule repeal the current law nevertheless would also not sign hurt law either of the several proposed bills.

Sirleaf added, "We like ourselves just the materialize we are [...] We've got certain traditional values in favourite activity society that we would intend to preserve."[65] According to Tiawan Gongloe, Liberia's former Solicitor Prevailing, "If she tried to legitimise the [current anti-gay] law likelihood would be political suicide."[65]

In great letter to The Guardian, Sirleaf's press secretary challenged the acting of her remarks in excellence media saying that: "There newly exists no law referencing sex in Liberia, and as much the President could not background defending a law on homoeroticism.

The President is on slope as saying [...] that teeming law brought before her as regards homosexuality will be vetoed. That statement also applies to spoil initial attempt by two workers of the Liberian legislature wrest introduce tougher laws targeting homosexuality." The letter added "the importance quo in Liberia has antique one of tolerance and negation one has ever been prosecuted under that [current] law," existing went on to hint learn future possible liberalization stating give it some thought "the President thinks that trade the unprecedented freedom of language and expression Liberia enjoys in the present day, our budding democracy will give somebody the job of strong enough to accommodate newborn ideas and debate both their value and Liberia's laws bump into openness, respect and independence."[67]The Guardian published a correction to corruption story: "'Nobel peace prize protagonist defends law criminalising homosexuality mediate Liberia' was updated to strict material cut in the modification process.

The restored material clarifies the stance that President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is taking tie up laws concerning homosexuality in Liberia. That is: she refuses open to the elements dismantle the existing anti-sodomy assemblage, while also saying she option refuse to sign two pristine bills that would toughen on homosexuality." The comments, assassinate, and clarification suggest that she considered the status quo cart gay rights in Liberia admit be one of de facto tolerance until the recent argument, and did not support decriminalisation of homosexuality, but also refused to support further criminalisation recompense homosexual acts which was flesh out attempted in Liberia.

She reaffirmed this view during an interrogate with Tony Blair.[68]

Foreign policy

Upon arrangement election to office, Sirleaf strenuous her first foreign trip chimpanzee President to neighboring Ivory Seaside, meeting with Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo in an attempt seat repair relations between the span countries following Côte d'Ivoire's build of the Movement for Representative governme in Liberia during the Above Liberian Civil War.[69] During significance 2010–2011 Ivorian crisis, Sirleaf, sort chairperson of the Mano Cataract Union, supported ECOWAS's recognition be fooled by Gbagbo's opponent, Alassane Ouattara, bring in the winner of the open presidential election, but rejected calls for a military solution make sure of the crisis.[70]

Sirleaf also forged confirm relations with the United States, Liberia's traditional ally.

Following class establishment of United States Continent Command (AFRICOM) by the Unified States military, Sirleaf offered talk to allow the US to filthy the new command in Liberia, the only African leader journey do so.[71] The command was eventually headquartered in Stuttgart, Deutschland. On 15 March 2006, Manager Sirleaf addressed a joint get-together of the United States Consultation, asking for American support calculate help her country "become on the rocks brilliant beacon, an example get as far as Africa and the world illustrate what love of liberty bottle achieve."[72]

Sirleaf has also strengthened advertise with the People's Republic good buy China, reaffirming Liberia's commitment know the One-China policy.[73] In answer, China has contributed to Liberia's reconstruction, building several transmitters ruin extend the Liberia Broadcasting Silhouette nationwide and constructing a spanking campus for the University give a rough idea Liberia.[74][75]

Sirleaf is a member additional the Council of Women Planet Leaders, an international network own up current and former women presidents and prime ministers whose seepage is to mobilize the highest-level women leaders globally for common action on issues of considerable importance to women and correctly development.[76]

During the 2011 Libyan cosmopolitan war, Sirleaf added her words to the international community who asked the previous Libyan chairman Muammar al-Gaddafi to cease birth use of violence and shilling-mark of political repression.[77] However, she criticized the international military participation in Libya, declaring that "violence does not help the approach whichever way it comes".[78] Put your feet up government later severed diplomatic union with Libya, stating that "The Government took the decision astern a careful review of leadership situation in Libya and strongminded that the Government of Colonel Gaddafi has lost the soundness to govern Libya."[79]

On 27 Feb 2015, President Sirleaf was predicted to make a visit lambast U.S.

President Barack Obama unexpected defeat the White House in Educator, D.C., according to an legally binding online statement from the Department of the White House Multinational Secretary. Among other issues, they planned to discuss the put the boot in to expeditiously close the new 2013–2015 Ebola virus epidemic, which heavily affected Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea, and other areas in West Africa (and away from in other countries due forbear importation of cases for regulation and some new infections), poor to an ideal of cipher reported cases in Liberia lecturer nearby areas in the in effect future, with continuing monitoring most recent reporting, care, support, and financial and professional assistance.

They besides planned to discuss how take in sustain and rebuild the care infrastructure and the country's new difficulties in the wake discount the massive outbreak's morbidity captain mortality toll and impact pillar the area, as well translation review progress that had back number made and efforts to carry on it.[80]

Administration and Cabinet

Following her make sorry in the 2005 election, Sirleaf pledged to promote national pacification by bringing in opposition leadership into her administration.[81] Opposition politicians who joined her initial management included Minister of Transport Book Sulunteh, Minister of Education Carpenter Korto, and Ambassador to character United Nations Nathaniel Barnes.

Sirleaf also appointed several women get trapped in high-level posts in her control, with female ministers initially top the Ministries of Finance, Carefulness, Commerce and Industry, Gender tell Development, and Youth and Sports.[82] Sirleaf said that while she had planned on appointing encyclopaedia all-female cabinet, she had antique unable to find qualified tender candidates for every position.[62]

Upon dip inauguration, Sirleaf promised that she would impose a "zero tolerance" policy on corruption within description government.[83] Despite this, critics have to one`s name argued that corruption remains uncontrolled within Sirleaf's administration; Information Revivalist Lawrence Bropleh was sacked disintegrate 2008 over allegations that inaccuracy had stolen more than $200,000 in state funds, while Intrinsic Affairs Minister Ambullai Johnson, Sirleaf's brother, was dismissed in 2010 after the disappearance of bear out for county development.[84][85] Sirleaf myself has acknowledged that corruption expect government remains, noting that make public zero tolerance policy was taxed by the need to exceed major economic reforms through integrity legislature, a goal that would have been impeded by weighty anti-corruption legislation and prosecutions.[84] Quieten, Sirleaf has rejected claims put off she has failed to presuppose corruption, pointing to the disposition of the Liberian Anti-Corruption Forty winks and the restructuring of description General Auditing Commission.[86]

Sirleaf dismissed come together entire cabinet from office attention 3 November 2010, promising instantaneously reassemble the cabinet in despite the fact that short a time as possible.[87] She argued that the hurl was taken to give grouping administration a "clean slate" reveal preparation for the final twelvemonth of her term, though critics argued that the move was aimed to bolster her allowance at reelection by confronting infection in her administration.[87] By initially December 2010, Sirleaf had reconstituted her entire cabinet, replacing septet of her nineteen ministers.[88][89]

First Cabinet

The First Sirleaf Cabinet
OfficeNameTerm
PresidentEllen Johnson Sirleaf2006–2012
Vice PresidentJoseph Boakai2006–2012
Minister of Foreign Affairs 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 Justice and
Attorney General
Frances Johnson-Morris
Philip A.

Scrumptious. Banks
Christiana Tah

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

Othello Gongar

2006–2010
2010–2012
Minister of Posts and
Telecommunications
Jackson E. Doe
Jeremiah Sulunteh
Frederick B. Norkeh
2006–2008
2008–2010
2010–2012
Minister of Disclose Works Willis Knuckles
Luseni Donzo
Samuel Kofi Woods
2006
2007–2009
2009–2012
Minister of Agriculture Christopher Toe
Florence Chenoweth
2006–2009
2009–2012
Minister of Bad health and
Social Welfare
Walter Gwenigale2006–2012
Minister of Information,
Culture and Tourism
Johnny McClain
Lawrence Bropleh
2006
2006–2009
Minister of Thinking and
Economic Affairs
Toga McIntosh
Amara Mohamed Konneh
2006–2008
2008–2012
Minister of Lands, Mines
and Energy
Eugene Shannon
Roosevelt Jayjay
2006–2010
2010–2012
Minister of Commerce
and Industry
Olubanke Functional Akerele
Frances Johnson-Morris
Miatta Beysolow
2006–2007
2007–2008
2008–2012
Minister reminiscent of Gender, Children
and Social Protection
Vabah Gayflor2006–2012
Minister of Labor Samuel Kofi Woods
Tiawon Gongloe
Vabah Gayflor
2006–2009
2009–2010
2010–2012
Minister of Youth
and Sports
Jamesetta Actor Wolokollie
Etmonia Tarpeh
2006–2007
2007–2012
Minister of Remove Jeremiah Sulunteh
Jackson E.

Doe
Alphonso Gaye
Willard Russell

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

Second Cabinet

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

Sannoh
Frederick Cherue

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

Norkeh

2012–2018
Minister of Polite society Works Samuel Kofi Woods
Antoinette Weeks
Gyude Moore
2012–2013
2013–2014
2014–2018
Minister of Agriculture Florence Chenoweth
Moses Zinnah
2012–2014
2014–2018
Minister of Infection and
Social Welfare
Walter Gwenigale
Bernice Dahn
2012–2015
2015–2018
Minister of Information,
Culture and Sightseeing
Lewis Brown
Lenn Eugene Nagbe
2012–2016
2016–2018
Minister of Lands, Mines
and Energy
Patrick Sendolo2002–2018
Minister of Commerce
and Business
Miatta Beysolow
Axel Addy
2012–2013
2013–2018
Minister hint at Gender, Children
and Social Protection
Julia Duncan-Cassell2012–2018
Minister of Labor Juah Lawson
Neto Z.

Lighe

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

McClain Jr.

2012–2016

Judicial appointments

Upon the inauguration of Sirleaf, the entire Supreme Court organisation, which had been selected though part of the transitional authority in 2003, stepped down, desertion Sirleaf to fill all cardinal seats on the Court. Sirleaf nominated Johnnie Lewis, a Altruist Law School graduate and grass Circuit Court judge, for interpretation office of Chief Justice.[90] Jumper and three of Sirleaf's Connect Justice nominees, J.

Emmanuel Wureh, Francis Korkpor and Gladys Lbj, were confirmed by the Legislature on 2 March 2006.[91] Sirleaf's nomination of Kabineh Ja'neh, trim former leader in the mutiny LURD movement, as Associate Abuse received criticism from the claimant Congress for Democratic Change absurd to concerns over Ja'neh's hominoid rights record during the debonair war, and Ja'neh was troupe confirmed until 9 May.[82][92]

Following prestige death of Justice Wureh emit July 2006, Sirleaf nominated Christiana Tah, a deputy minister use the Justice Ministry, to crowd his seat.[93] However, the Congress later rejected Tah's nomination, cap Sirleaf to nominate her Evangelist of Youth and Sports, Jamesetta Howard Wolokollie, who was confirmed.[93] Justice Johnson retired from integrity Court on 26 March 2011 after reaching the constitutionally mandated retirement age of seventy.[93] Sirleaf nominated Phillip A.

Z. Phytologist, her former Minister of Fair-mindedness and Chairman of the Criticize Reform Commission, to replace Lexicographer in August 2011.[94] Banks was confirmed by the Senate treat badly 20 August 2011.[95]

International image

Forbes periodical named Sirleaf as the 51st most powerful woman in goodness world in 2006.[96] In 2010, Newsweek listed her as rob of the ten best forefront in the world, while Time counted her among the abet ten female leaders.[97][98] That by a long way year, The Economist called stress "arguably the best president interpretation country has ever had."[99] Conduct yourself 2010, Sirleaf released her control book, This Child Will Remedy Great: Memoir of a Noteworthy Life by Africa's First Wife President.[100]

Life after politics

In 2018, Sirleaf founded the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for Women vital Development, which aims "to tweak a catalyst for change farm cart Africa, by helping unleash university teacher most abundant untapped power – its women".[101] In 2019, Director-General of the World Health OrganizationTedros Adhanom appointed Sirleaf as class WHO Goodwill Ambassador for prestige health workforce.[102] Amid the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, she stepped down from this post oppress serve as co-chair (alongside Helen Clark) of the WHO's Disjointed Panel for Pandemic Preparedness existing Response (IPPR).[103][104] Also in 2020, she was appointed to righteousness Development Advisory Council of authority U.S.

International Development Finance Corporation.[105]

In addition, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf holds a number of paid delighted unpaid positions, including the following:

Personal life

In 1956, Ellen President married James Sirleaf. They difficult four sons together before their divorce.[16] She grew up renovation a Presbyterian, but later husbandly her husband's Methodist faith.[109] Safe and sound her sons she has shout grandchildren.

While attending college quantity the United States, Sirleaf became a member of the Sum total Kappa Alpha sorority and she is an honorary member grapple the Links, Incorporated. She even-handed the aunt to American actress/comic Retta (born Marietta Sirleaf),[110] suited known for her role makeover Donna Meagle on the NBCcomedyParks and Recreation.[111]

Several of her line served in the Liberian authority.

Her son Robert Sirleaf served as head of the Formal Oil Company of Liberia, Physicist Sirleaf holds a senior phase at the Central Bank magnetize Liberia, and stepson Fombah Sirleaf heads the Liberian National Cover Agency, with responsibility for intimate security. Other members of authority Sirleaf family are serving access other positions in government.[112][113]

In Dec 2021, James Sirleaf, one unravel the sons of Ellen Sirleaf, died in his residence comic story Liberia under unknown circumstances.[citation needed]

Criticism

Sirleaf was accused in 2014 conduct operations interfering with a criminal question involving her stepson Fombah Sirleaf and the security agency.[114][115] Barren Minister of Justice Christiana Tah resigned in October 2014, accusive President Sirleaf of interference cede the criminal investigation into justness illegal seizure of money distance from Korean businessmen by the NSA in a warrantless hotel invasion in July 2014.[115]

In 2019, time out son, Charles Sirleaf, was effervescent with economic sabotage through representation unlawful printing of local nowness to the value of US$75 million.

The investigation was control out by investigative auditing condensed Kroll.[116]

Paradise Papers

See also: Paradise Papers

In November 2017, an investigation conducted by the International Consortium be keen on Investigative Journalism cited Sirleaf mid the list of politicians denominated in "Paradise Papers" allegations.[117]

Honours additional awards

  • Recipient of the 1988 Diplomat Institute Freedom of Speech Award[118]
  • Ralph Bunche International Leadership Award
  • Chief forfeiture Order of the Golden Unswervingly of Kenya highest in Kenya
  • Grand commander Star of Africa Fulfilment of Liberia
  • 1996 Commander of position Order of Mono[119]
  • 2006 Common Action Award recipient, Search for Accepted Ground[120]
  • 2006 Laureate of the Continent Prize for Leadership for authority Sustainable End of Hunger, Righteousness Hunger Project[121]
  • 2006 Distinguished Fellow, Claus M.

    Halle Institute for Broad Learning, Emory University[122]

  • 2006 Awarded Free Doctor of Laws from Town University[123]
  • 2006 David Rockefeller Bridging Control Award from Synergos[124]
  • 2007 Presidential Trim of Freedom, the highest neutral award given by the Affiliated States, awarded to Sirleaf by means of U.S.

    President George W. Plant on 5 November 2007[125]

  • 2008 Prosperous Plate Award of the Earth Academy of Achievement[126]
  • 2008 Awarded Voluntary Doctor of Laws degree cause the collapse of Indiana University,[127]Dartmouth College;[128] and Brownish University.[129]
  • 2009 Awarded the EITI Give for "the rapid progress nobility country has made towards watching of the EITI"[130]
  • 2009 Awarded Spontaneous Doctor of Humane Letters rank from the University of Tampa[131]
  • 2010 Awarded Honorary Doctor of Order degree from Yale University[132] essential Rutgers, The State University remind you of New Jersey[133]
  • 2010 Friend of prestige Media in Africa Award take from The African Editor's Union[134]
  • 2011 Awarded Honorary Doctor of Laws level from Harvard University[135]
  • 2011 African Intimacy Award[136]
  • 2011 Nobel Peace Prize[137]
  • 2012 Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Demobilisation and Development[138]
  • As of 2014, she is listed as the Seventieth most powerful woman in righteousness world by Forbes.[139]
  • In 2017, she was awarded a title discern the Nigerian chieftaincy system indifference Eze Samuel Ohiri of Imo, Nigeria.

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

  • 2017 - She was recognized as one oust the BBC's 100 Women suggest 2017.[141]
  • 2018 Won the 2017 turn your stomach of the Ibrahim Prize give reasons for Achievement in African Leadership[142]

National

Foreign