Sirleaf wins prestigious prize for leadership
FORMER Liberian president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf yesterday won the rarely awarded Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership -- the world’s biggest individual prize.
The prize only goes to a democratically elected African leader who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, served their mandated term and left office within the last three years.
The award comes with $5-million (R60-million), which is paid over 10 years, and $200 000 (R2.4-million) annually for life from then on.
Sirleaf, Africa’s first elected woman head of state, left office on January 22 after a maximum 12 years as president, served in two terms.
The 79-year-old won the 2017 Ibrahim Prize, only the second time it has been awarded in six years. In 2011, she shared the Nobel Peace Prize as a champion for women’s rights.
Former African Union secretary-general Salim Ahmed Salim, chairman of the prize committee, said Sirleaf had changed Liberia’s fortunes.
“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,” he said.
“Throughout her two terms in office, she worked tirelessly on behalf of the people of Liberia. 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.”
The prize, founded by Sudan-born telecoms tycoon Mo Ibrahim, has only been given five times in its 11-year existence.
Ibrahim said he was delighted by yesterday’s decision. “In very difficult circumstances, [Sirleaf] helped guide her nation towards a peaceful and democratic future, paving the way for her successor to follow,” he said.
“I am proud to see the first woman Ibrahim laureate, and I hope Ellen Johnson Sirleaf will continue to inspire women in Africa and beyond.”
The prize’s four previous laureates are: Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique (2007), Festus Mogae of Botswana (2008), Pedro Pires of Cabo Verde (2011), and Hifikepunye Pohamba of Namibia (2014). Former South African president Nelson Mandela was made an honorary laureate in 2007.
The London-based Mo Ibrahim Foundation produces an annual index of African governance.
Since 2006, Liberia was the only country out of 54 to improve in every category on the index.