Ellen johnson-sirleaf biography

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

President of Liberia detach from to

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (born Ellen Eugenia Johnson, 29 Oct ) is a Liberian public servant who served as the Ordinal president of Liberia from in close proximity Sirleaf was the first female head of state interleave Africa.^[2]^[3]

Sirleaf was born in Port to a Gola father famous Kru-German mother.

She was scholarly at the College of Westside Africa. She completed her nurture in the United States, swing she studied at Madison Employment College, the University of River Boulder, and Harvard University. She returned to Liberia to travail in William Tolbert's government laugh Deputy Minister of Finance detach from to Later, she worked adjust in the West, for decency World Bank in the Sea and Latin America.

In , she received a cabinet go out with as Minister of Finance, plateful to

After Samuel Doe specious power in in a stratagem d'état and executed Tolbert, Sirleaf fled to the United States. She worked for Citibank survive then the Equator Bank. She returned to Liberia to battle a senatorial seat for Montserrado County in , an purpose that was disputed.

She was arrested as a result deduction her open criticism of prestige military government in and was sentenced to ten years durance vile, although she was later released.^[4] Sirleaf continued to be tangled in politics. She finished imprison second place at the statesmanly election, which was won mass Charles Taylor.

She won rendering presidential election and took employment on 16 January She was re-elected in She was blue blood the gentry first woman in Africa designate as president of her native land. She won the Nobel Untouched Prize in , in because of of her efforts to fetch women into the peacekeeping outward appearance.

She has received numerous extra awards for her leadership. Pustule June , Sirleaf was pick as the Chair of integrity Economic Community of West Somebody States, making her the principal woman to hold the pose since it was created.^[5]

Family background

Sirleaf's father was Gola and shun mother had mixed Kru reprove German ancestry.^[6]^[7]^[8]

While not in fait accompli Americo-Liberian in terms of lineage, because of her parents' cultivation and her own education injure the West, Sirleaf is deemed to be culturally Americo-Liberian, encouragement assumed to be Americo-Liberian.

Worldweariness parents both grew up tutor in Monrovia, a center of Americo-Liberian influence, after being born take away poor rural areas.^[9]^[10]^[11] Sirleaf does not identify as such.^[12]

Sirleaf's curate, Jahmale Carney Johnson, was tribal into a Gola family pluck out an impoverished rural region.^[13] Blooper was the son of uncut minor Gola chief named Jahmale Carney and one of coronate wives, Jenneh, in Julijuah, Bomi County.^[14] Her father was curve to Monrovia for education, place he changed his surname suck up to Johnson due to her father's loyalty to President Hilary Notice.

W. Johnson, Liberia's first native-born president.^[14] Jahmale Johnson grew plaster in Monrovia, where he was raised by an Americo-Liberian kinfolk with the surname McCritty.^[14] Forbidden later entered politics; he was the first Liberian from apartment building indigenous ethnic group to pull up elected to the country's nationwide legislature.^[7]^[13]

Sirleaf's mother was also innate into poverty, in Greenville.^[14] Their way grandmother, Juah Sarwee, sent Sirleaf's mother to the capital, Port, when her German husband (Sirleaf's grandfather) had to flee class country after Liberia declared armed conflict on Germany during World Hostilities I.^[13] Cecilia Dunbar, a affiliate of a prominent Americo-Liberian kinsfolk in the capital, adopted celebrated raised Sirleaf's mother.^[14]

Early life gift career

Sirleaf was born in Port in ^[13] She attended character College of West Africa, systematic preparatory school, from to She married James Sirleaf when she was seventeen years old.

Greatness couple had four sons merger, and she was primarily inhabited as a homemaker. Early fraction in their marriage, James insincere for the Department of Agribusiness, and Sirleaf worked as orderly bookkeeper for an auto-repair shop.^[15]

She traveled with her husband justify the United States in friend continue her education and deserved an associate degree in at Madison Business College, remove Madison, Wisconsin.^[16] When they shared to Liberia, James continued potentate work in the Agriculture Bureau and Sirleaf pursued a continuance in the Treasury Department (Ministry of Finance).^[15] They divorced budget because of James' abuse.^[7]^[17]^[15]

Sirleaf joint to college to finish make up for bachelor's degree.

In , she earned a BA in accounts from the Economics Institute announcement the University of Colorado Boulder,^[18] where she also spent top-hole summer preparing for graduate studies. Sirleaf studied economics and get around policy at Harvard Kennedy High school from to , earning deft Master of Public Administration.^[19] She returned to her native Liberia to work in the management of William Tolbert, where she was appointed as Assistant Manage of Finance.

Whilst in think about it position, she attracted attention tie in with a "bombshell" speech to prestige Liberian Chamber of Commerce put off claimed that the country's corporations were harming the economy strong hoarding or sending their booty overseas.^[20]

Sirleaf served as Assistant Path from to in the Tolbert administration.

She resigned after deft disagreement about government spending. Afterward, she was appointed as Cleric of Finance a few maturity later, serving from to Apr ^[21]

Master Sergeant Samuel Doe, smart member of the indigenous Krahn ethnic group, seized power distort a military coup on 12 April ; he ordered birth assassination of Tolbert and action by firing squad of yell but four members of her majesty Cabinet.

The People's Redemption Parliament took control of the sovereign state and led a purge admit the previous government. Sirleaf primarily accepted a post in loftiness new government as the Concert-master of the Liberian Bank supporting Development and Investment. She serene the country in November funding publicly criticising Doe and rectitude People's Redemption Council for their management of the country.^[22]

Sirleaf first moved to Washington, D.C., become peaceful worked for the World Bank.^[23] In , she moved recognize Nairobi, Kenya to serve trade in Vice President of the Human Regional Office of Citibank.

She resigned from Citibank in multitude her involvement at the popular election in Liberia. She went to work for Equator Bank,^[24] a subsidiary of HSBC.^{[citation needed]}

In , Sirleaf was appointed trade in the director of the Concerted Nations Development Programme's Regional Office for Africa at the spot of assistant administrator and tender secretary general (ASG).

She go over internationally known as Africa's Silver-tongued Lady, due to her governmental prowess.^[25] She resigned from that role in in order yon run for the presidency accustomed Liberia. During her time put down the UN, she was disposed of the seven internationally improve on persons designated in by representation Organization of African Unity treaty investigate the Rwandan genocide, separate of the five Commission Room for the Inter-Congolese Dialogue, other one of the two worldwide experts selected by UNIFEM expect investigate and report on grandeur effect of conflict on division and women's roles in hush building.

She was the rudimentary Chairperson of the Open Kinship Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) and a visiting Professor clamour Governance at the Ghana League of Management and Public Direction (GIMPA).^[26]

Political career

general election

While indispensable at Citibank, Sirleaf returned work stoppage Liberia in to run care Vice President under Jackson Doe on the ticket of position Liberian Action Party in nobility elections.

However, Sirleaf was settled under house arrest in Venerable and soon after sentenced suck up to ten years in prison symbolize sedition, as a consequence lose a speech in which she insulted the members of blue blood the gentry Samuel Doe regime. Following supranational calls for her release, Prophet Doe pardoned and released disgruntlement in September.

Due to decide pressure, she was removed deviate the presidential ticket and in lieu of ran for a Senate station in Montserrado County.

In authority elections, Samuel Doe and probity National Democratic Party won probity presidency and large majorities disclose both houses. The elections were widely condemned as neither unforced nor fair.

Sirleaf was announced the winner of her Legislature race, but she refused give somebody no option but to accept the seat in oppose of the election fraud.

After an attempted coup against honesty Doe government by Thomas Quiwonkpa on 12 November , Sirleaf was arrested and imprisoned come again on 13 November by Doe's forces.

Despite continuing to conceal to accept her seat create the Senate, she was out in July She secretly gloomy the country to the Merged States later that year.^[27]

At magnanimity beginning of the First African Civil War in , Sirleaf supported Charles Taylor's rebellion despoil Doe.

She helped raise funds for the war and supported the National Patriotic Front out-and-out Liberia with Taylor and Blackamoor Woewiyu. Because of this, Doe's government recommended that Sirleaf accredit banned from politics in Liberia for 30 years.

But, she later opposed Taylor's handling blond the war and his use convention of rival opposition leaders specified as Jackson Doe.

By , the presence of Economic Territory of West African States (ECOWAS) peacekeepers led to a surcease of hostilities. The nation restricted the general election, which Sirleaf returned to Liberia to armed conflict. She ran as the statesmanly candidate for the Unity Social event and placed second in uncut controversial election, getting 25% retard the vote to Charles Taylor's 75%.

After controversy about primacy results and being accused practice treason, Sirleaf left Liberia vital went into exile in City, Ivory Coast.^[27]

After the end trip the Second Liberian Civil Armed conflict and the establishment of trig transitional government, Sirleaf was anticipated as a possible candidate keep an eye on chairman of the government.

Sooner or later, Gyude Bryant, a political half-arsed, was chosen as chairman, greatest extent Sirleaf served as head help the Governance Reform Commission.

Sirleaf stood for president as distinction candidate of the Unity Establishment in the general election. She placed second in the rule round of voting behind Martyr Weah, a former footballer.^[28] Be pleased about the subsequent run-off election, Sirleaf earned 59% of the suffrage versus 40% for Weah, scour through Weah disputed the results.

The announcement of the new head was postponed until further volition investigations were carried out. Collision 23 November , Sirleaf was declared the winner of primacy Liberian election and confirmed similarly the country's next president title the first woman to designate elected as president of put down African country.^[29] Her inauguration took place on 16 January Everyday was attended by many distant dignitaries, including United States Gentleman of StateCondoleezza Rice and Be in first place LadyLaura Bush.

In January , Sirleaf announced that she would run for a second locution in office in the statesmanlike election while speaking to undiluted joint session of the legislature.^[30] Opposition leaders noted that entertain doing so, she had disciplined a promise made during draw campaign to only serve skirt term if elected.^[31] Sirleaf was renominated as the Unity Party's presidential candidate at the party's national convention on 31 Oct ^[32] That same day, Listen in on President Joseph Boakai was scheduled by Sirleaf and confirmed wedge the delegates as Sirleaf's behave mate.^[32]

The awarding of the Philanthropist Peace Prize to Sirleaf team a few days prior to the choice sparked criticism from opposition parties, with Congress for Democratic Have emotional impact candidate Winston Tubman calling excellence award "undeserved" and "a partisan interference in our country's politics."^[33] Sirleaf called the timing a variety of the award a coincidence put forward avoided mentioning the award past the final days of campaigning.^[34]

Sirleaf garnered % of the poll in the first round, go into detail than any other candidate on the contrary short of the 50% mandatory to avoid a run-off.

Abolitionist came in second with From the ground up, pitting him against Sirleaf nervous tension the second round.^[35] Tubman hollered for a boycott of primacy run-off, claiming that the penurious of the first round difficult to understand been fraudulent.^[36] Sirleaf denied rank allegations, and international observers tale that the first round choice had been free, fair allow transparent.^[37] As a result call upon the boycott, Sirleaf won greatness second round with % after everything else the vote, though voter presence significantly declined from the labour round.^[38] Following the election, Sirleaf announced the creation of neat "national peace and reconciliation initiative," led by Nobel Peace Love laureate Leymah Gbowee, to oration the country's divisions and off "a national dialogue that would bring us together."^[39] She took the presidential oath for have a lot to do with second presidency on 16 Jan ^[40]

Sirleaf crossed party lines back support George Weah in righteousness presidential campaign.^[41] In the come together evening hours of 13 Jan , she along with labored officials of the Unity Outfit were expelled^[42] by the Genealogical Executive Committee of the company, for failing to support Constancy Party presidential candidate, and Sirleaf's Vice President, Joseph Boakai.

Domestic policy

A fire broke out engagement the Executive Mansion on 26 July , seriously damaging greatness structure. An independent panel watchful to investigate the incident ruled out arson, attributing the eagerness to an electrical malfunction.^[43] Sirleaf's government called funding for birth repair of the mansion unmixed low priority in the confront of more pressing needs, fellow worker Sirleaf transferring her office look up to the nearby Foreign Ministry house and choosing to live attractive her personal home in Monrovia.^[44]^[45]

On 26 July , Sirleaf famous Liberia's th Independence Day get somebody on your side the theme "Liberia at Reclaiming the future." She took diversity unprecedented and symbolic move provoke asking year-old Liberian activist Kimmie Weeks to serve as Internal Orator for the celebrations, wheel Weeks called for the control to prioritize education and profit care.

A few days subsequent, President Sirleaf issued an Mind Order making education free lecturer compulsory for all elementary faculty aged children.^[46]

On 4 October , Sirleaf signed into law nifty Freedom of Information bill, excellence first legislation of its accepting in West Africa.^[47]^[48] In make your mark of this, she became excellence first sitting head of induct to receive the Friend discern the Media in Africa Furnish from The African Editor's Union.^[49]

On 1 April , Sirleaf try reporters that she planned round on charge an opposition candidate deal with sedition for organizing a recuperation protesting corruption in the decide.

Her press secretary later courtly that the remark had antique an April Fools' prank.^[50]

Debt relief

From the beginning of her wheel, Sirleaf vowed to make simplification of the national debt, which stood at approximately US$&#;billion jagged , a top priority sue for her administration.

The United States became the first country slate grant debt relief to Liberia, waiving the full $&#;million work to it by Liberia captive early ^[51] In September recall that year, the G-8 redoubtable by German ChancellorAngela Merkel assuming $&#;million to paying off 60% of Liberia's debt to picture International Monetary Fund, crediting their decision to the macroeconomic policies pursued by the Sirleaf administration.^[52]

In April , the government in triumph wrote off an additional $&#;billion in foreign commercial debt manifestation a deal that saw illustriousness government buy back the answerability at a 97% discounted stamp through financing provided by righteousness International Development Association, Germany, Norge, the United States, and birth United Kingdom.^[53] The discounted impact was the largest ever sponsor a developing country.^[53]

The country was deemed eligible to participate up-to-date the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries initiative in ^[54] In June , the country reached honesty completion point of the HIPC initiative, qualifying it for comfort from its entire external debt.^[55] That same month, the Universe Bank and IMF agreed direct to fund $&#;billion in writing practical joker the Liberia's multilateral debt.^[56] Revere 16 September, the Paris Truncheon agreed to cancel $&#;billion, critical of independent bilateral creditors canceling place additional $&#;million, essentially writing gridlock Liberia's remaining external debt.^[57] Sirleaf vowed to prevent unsustainable appropriation in the future by poor state annual borrowing to 3% entity GDP and limiting expenditure grow mouldy all borrowed funds to pearl infrastructure projects.^[58]

Truth and Reconciliation Commission

In , the Truth and Pacification Commission began work with great mandate to "promote national placidness, security, unity and reconciliation" get by without investigating more than 20 period of civil conflict in distinction country.

The TRC was familiar through a legislation in beneath the Interim government headed via C. Gyude Bryant.

In their final report, issued in June , the TRC included Sirleaf in a list of 50 names of people that requirement be "specifically barred from period of office public offices; elected or adapted for a period of 30 (30) years" for "being contingent with former warring factions."^[59] Dignity proposed ban stemmed from scratch financial support of former Headman Taylor in the early maturity of the First Liberian Domestic War.

On 26 July , Sirleaf apologized to Liberia financial assistance supporting Charles Taylor, saying: "When the true nature of Social. Taylor's intentions became known, in all directions was no more impassioned essayist or strong opponent to him in a democratic process" fondle she.^[60] On 28 August, class legislature announced they must "consult our constituents for about dinky year" before deciding whether strive for not to implement the Commission's recommendations.^[61]

During an appearance at leadership Council on Foreign Relations con , Sirleaf argued that picture implementation of the TRC's ban would unconstitutionally violate pretty up right to due process.^[62] Instruction October , the chairman worldly Sirleaf's Unity Party, Varney General, argued that implementation of greatness recommendation would be unconstitutional, chimpanzee Article 21(a) of the Style prohibits ex post facto words, and Sirleaf had broken rebuff law by financially supporting Actress that imposed a ban do too much public office as a penalty.^[63]

In January , the Supreme Pursue ruled in Williams v.

Tah, a case brought by preference person recommended for being prohibited from public office in honourableness TRC report, that the TRC's recommendation was an unconstitutional contravention of the listed individuals' claim to procedural due process, suggest that it would be illegal for the government to tool the proposed bans.^[64]

Gay rights

Following a- speech made by United States Secretary of StateHillary Clinton snare December that America's foreign cooperate would be used to subsidize the protection of gay rights,^[65] the issue of LGBT insist on became a significant political amour in Liberia.

According to The Guardian, "Since Clinton's remarks, African newspapers have published numerous piece of writing and editorials describing homosexuality makeover 'desecrating', 'abusive' and an 'abomination'."^[65] Liberian law made "voluntary sodomy" punishable by up to song year in prison, although kosher has not been used obstacle prosecute anyone in several years.^[66]

In February , Bong County Civil servant Jewel Taylor proposed a payment that would carry a name of ten years in detain for homosexual activity, while cool similar bill was introduced hutch the House of Representatives.^[65] Utmost 19 March, Sirleaf addressed excellence issue, saying that she would not repeal the current oversight but would also not indication into law either of rank two proposed bills.

Sirleaf auxiliary, "We like ourselves just rank way we are [] We've got certain traditional values resolve our society that we would like to preserve."^[65] According reverse Tiawan Gongloe, Liberia's former Legal adviser General, "If she tried puzzle out decriminalise the [current anti-gay] injure it would be political suicide."^[65]

In a letter to The Guardian, Sirleaf's press secretary challenged primacy portrayal of her remarks check the media saying that: "There currently exists no law referencing homosexuality in Liberia, and owing to such the President could howl be defending a law bring round homosexuality.

The President is overshadow record as saying [] ramble any law brought before junk regarding homosexuality will be vetoed. This statement also applies stumble upon an initial attempt by combine members of the Liberian government to introduce tougher laws targeting homosexuality." The letter added "the status quo in Liberia has been one of tolerance person in charge no one has ever antiquated prosecuted under that [current] law," and went on to murmur at future possible liberalization stating that "the President thinks lose concentration with the unprecedented freedom garbage speech and expression Liberia enjoys today, our budding democracy disposition be strong enough to adapt new ideas and debate both their value and Liberia's reserve with openness, respect and independence."^[67]The Guardian published a correction have knowledge of its story: "'Nobel peace passion winner defends law criminalising sex in Liberia' was updated collide with restore material cut in high-mindedness editing process.

The restored theme clarifies the stance that Kingpin Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is engaging on laws concerning homosexuality charge Liberia. That is: she refuses to dismantle the existing anti-sodomy law, while also saying she will refuse to sign digit new bills that would intensify laws on homosexuality." The comments, letter, and clarification suggest give it some thought she considered the status quo for gay rights in Liberia to be one of de facto tolerance until the new controversy, and did not back up decriminalization of homosexuality, but besides refused to support further legislating of homosexual acts which was being attempted in Liberia.

She reaffirmed this view during almanac interview with Tony Blair.^[68]

Foreign policy

Upon her election to office, Sirleaf made her first foreign ride as President to neighboring Pallid Coast, meeting with Ivorian Superintendent Laurent Gbagbo in an exertion to repair relations between greatness two countries following Côte d'Ivoire's support of the Movement select Democracy in Liberia during honesty Second Liberian Civil War.^[69] Aside the – Ivorian crisis, Sirleaf, as chairperson of the Mano River Union, supported ECOWAS's leisure pursuit of Gbagbo's opponent, Alassane Ouattara, as the winner of excellence disputed presidential election, but uninvited calls for a military idea to the crisis.^[70]

Sirleaf also imitation close relations with the Common States, Liberia's traditional ally.

Later the establishment of United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) by significance United States military, Sirleaf offered to allow the US stop headquarter the new command improve Liberia, the only African governor to do so.^[71] The slow lane was eventually headquartered in City, Germany. On 15 March , President Sirleaf addressed a ridge meeting of the United States Congress, asking for American investment to help her country "become a brilliant beacon, an comments to Africa and the artificial of what love of eviction can achieve."^[72]

Sirleaf has also fortify relations with the People's Land of China, reaffirming Liberia's committal to the One-China policy.^[73] Relish return, China has contributed justify Liberia's reconstruction, building several transmitters to extend the Liberia Betrayal System nationwide and constructing spruce new campus for the Formation of Liberia.^[74]^[75]

Sirleaf is a participant of the Council of Body of men World Leaders, an international cobweb of current and former unit presidents and prime ministers whose mission is to mobilize illustriousness highest-level women leaders globally confound collective action on issues shambles critical importance to women be first equitable development.^[76]

During the Libyan non-military war, Sirleaf added her sound to the international community who asked the previous Libyan director Muammar al-Gaddafi to cease goodness use of violence and goods of political repression.^[77] However, she criticized the international military intercession in Libya, declaring that "violence does not help the method whichever way it comes".^[78] Haunt government later severed diplomatic agreement with Libya, stating that "The Government took the decision sustenance a careful review of glory situation in Libya and dogged that the Government of Colonel Gaddafi has lost the accuracy to govern Libya."^[79]

On 27 Feb , President Sirleaf was scheduled to make a visit trigger U.S.

President Barack Obama withdraw the White House in Pedagogue, D.C., according to an criminal online statement from the Put in place of the White House Plead Secretary. Among other issues, they planned to discuss the punt to expeditiously close the latest – Ebola virus epidemic, which heavily affected Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea, and other areas in West Africa (and elapsed in other countries due go along with importation of cases for illtreatment and some new infections), dogmatic to an ideal of nought reported cases in Liberia last nearby areas in the realistically future, with continuing monitoring soar reporting, care, support, and cash and professional assistance.

They as well planned to discuss how unite sustain and rebuild the tending infrastructure and the country's hit difficulties in the wake game the massive outbreak's morbidity additional mortality toll and impact exercise the area, as well similarly review progress that had back number made and efforts to stash it.^[80]

Administration and Cabinet

Following her dismay in the election, Sirleaf busy to promote national reconciliation alongside bringing in opposition leaders insert her administration.^[81] Opposition politicians who joined her initial administration designated Minister of Transport Jeremiah Sulunteh, Minister of Education Joseph Korto, and Ambassador to the Merged Nations Nathaniel Barnes.

Sirleaf additionally appointed several women to noted posts in her administration, reach female ministers initially leading decency Ministries of Finance, Law, Traffic and Industry, Gender and Happening, and Youth and Sports.^[82] Sirleaf said that while she locked away planned on appointing an all-female cabinet, she had been 1 to find qualified female pasture applicants for every position.^[62]

Upon her inception, Sirleaf promised that she would impose a "zero tolerance" scheme on corruption within the government.^[83] Despite this, critics have argued that corruption remains rampant backing bowels Sirleaf's administration; Information Minister Saint Bropleh was sacked in assigning allegations that he had taken more than $, in speak funds, while Internal Affairs Path Ambullai Johnson, Sirleaf's brother, was dismissed in after the termination of funds for county development.^[84]^[85] Sirleaf herself has acknowledged mosey corruption in government remains, notation that her zero tolerance practice was hampered by the require to pass major economic reforms through the legislature, a grounds that would have been impeded by significant anti-corruption legislation spreadsheet prosecutions.^[84] However, Sirleaf has jilted claims that she has useless to fight corruption, pointing tutorial the establishment of the African Anti-Corruption Commission and the shake-up of the General Auditing Commission.^[86]

Sirleaf dismissed her entire cabinet wean away from office on 3 November , promising to reassemble the cupboard in as short a generation as possible.^[87] She argued give it some thought the move was taken be give her administration a "clean slate" in preparation for righteousness final year of her word, though critics argued that greatness move was aimed to prop up her chances at reelection by means of confronting corruption in her administration.^[87] By early December , Sirleaf had reconstituted her entire council, replacing seven of her cardinal ministers.^[88]^[89]

First Cabinet

The First Sirleaf Cabinet
Office	Name	Term
President	Ellen Johnson Sirleaf	–
Vice President	Joseph Boakai	–
Minister of Imported Affairs	George Wallace Olubanke King Akerele Toga McIntosh	– – –
Minister of Finance	Antoinette Sayeh Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan	– –
Minister annotation Justice and Attorney General	Frances Johnson-Morris Philip A. Z. Banks Christiana Tah	– – –
Minister of National Defense	Brownie Samukai	–
Minister of Internal Affairs	Ambullai Johnson Harrison Kahnweah	– –
Minister of Breeding	Joseph Korto E. Othello Gongar	– –
Minister of Posts and Telecommunications	Jackson Attach. Doe Jeremiah Sulunteh Frederick B. Norkeh	– – –
Minister of Public Works	Willis Knuckles Luseni Donzo Samuel Kofi Woods	– –
Minister remaining Agriculture	Christopher Toe Florence Chenoweth	– –
Minister of Health and Social Welfare	Walter Gwenigale	–
Minister of Information, Culture very last Tourism	Johnny McClain Lawrence Bropleh	–
Minister of Planning and Economic Affairs	Toga McIntosh Amara Mohamed Konneh	– –
Minister build up Lands, Mines and Energy	Eugene Shannon Roosevelt Jayjay	– –
Minister of Commerce and Labour	Olubanke King Akerele Frances Johnson-Morris Miatta Beysolow	– – –
Minister of Gender, Children and Public Protection	Vabah Gayflor	–
Minister addendum Labor	Samuel Kofi Woods Tiawon Gongloe Vabah Gayflor	– – –
Minister of Youth and Exercises	Jamesetta Howard Wolokollie Etmonia Tarpeh	– –
Minister of Transport	Jeremiah Sulunteh Jackson Hook up. Doe Alphonso Gaye Willard Russell	– – – –
Minister medium State for Presidential Affairs	Morris Dukuly Willis Knuckles Edward B. McClain Jr.	– –

Second Cabinet

The Second Sirleaf Council
Office	Name	Term
President	Ellen Johnson Sirleaf	–
Vice President	Joseph Boakai	–
Minister of Foreign Reason	Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan Marjon Kamara	– –
Minister of Finance	Amara Mohamed Konneh Boima Kamara	– –
Minister of Justice and Attorney General	Christiana Tah Benedict F. Sannoh Frederick Cherue	– – –
Minister of National Collection	Brownie Samukai	–
Minister of Intimate Affairs	Blamo Nelson Morris Dukuly Henrique Tokpa	– – –
Minister of Education	Etmonia King Tarpeh George Werner	– –
Minister of Posts and Telecommunications	Frederick B. Norkeh	–
Minister of Public Works	Samuel Kofi Woods Antoinette Weeks Gyude Moore	– – –
Minister attain Agriculture	Florence Chenoweth Moses Zinnah	– –
Minister of Health and Social Welfare	Walter Gwenigale Bernice Dahn	– –
Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism	Lewis Brown Lenn General Nagbe	– –
Minister of Lands, Mines and Energy	Patrick Sendolo	–
Minister possession Commerce and Industry	Miatta Beysolow Axel Addy	– –
Minister of Gender, Children and Collective Protection	Julia Duncan-Cassell	–
Minister manage Labor	Juah Lawson Neto Z. Lighe	– –
Minister of Youth and Sports	Tornorlah Vapilah Lenn Eugene Nagbe Saah N'tow	– – –
Minister of Transport	Lenn Eugene Nagbe Angela Cassell Bush	– –
Minister of State of affairs for Presidential Affairs	Edward B. McClain Jr.	–

Judicial appointments

Upon the beginning of Sirleaf, the entire Peerless Court bench, which had archaic selected as part of grandeur transitional government in , stepped down, leaving Sirleaf to wonderful all five seats on primacy Court. Sirleaf nominated Johnnie Pianist, a Yale Law School alum and former Circuit Court udicate, for the office of Primary Justice.^[90] Lewis and three disregard Sirleaf's Associate Justice nominees, Record.

Emmanuel Wureh, Francis Korkpor professor Gladys Johnson, were confirmed uninviting the Senate on 2 Stride ^[91] Sirleaf's nomination of Kabineh Ja'neh, a former leader hold up the rebel LURD movement, bit Associate Justice received criticism shake off the opposition Congress for Popular Change due to concerns disorganize Ja'neh's human rights record extensive the civil war, and Ja'neh was not confirmed until 9 May.^[82]^[92]

Following the death of Disgraceful Wureh in July , Sirleaf nominated Christiana Tah, a reserve minister at the Justice The church, to fill his seat.^[93] Even, the Senate later rejected Tah's nomination, leading Sirleaf to present her Minister of Youth existing Sports, Jamesetta Howard Wolokollie, who was confirmed.^[93] Justice Johnson withdraw from the Court on 26 March after reaching the constitutionally mandated retirement age of seventy.^[93] Sirleaf nominated Phillip A.

Scrumptious. Banks, her former Minister learn Justice and Chairman of authority Law Reform Commission, to moderate Johnson in August ^[94] Phytologist was confirmed by the Board on 20 August ^[95]

International image

Forbes magazine named Sirleaf as excellence 51st most powerful woman burden the world in ^[96] Spitting image , Newsweek listed her although one of the ten surpass leaders in the world, space fully Time counted her among primacy top ten female leaders.^[97]^[98] Zigzag same year, The Economist baptized her "arguably the best headman the country has ever had."^[99] In , Sirleaf released renounce first book, This Child Discretion Be Great: Memoir of trim Remarkable Life by Africa's Leading Woman President.^[]

Life after politics

In , Sirleaf founded the Ellen Lexicologist Sirleaf Presidential Center for Troop and Development, which aims "to be a catalyst for ditch across Africa, by helping disengage its most abundant untapped overwhelm – its women".^[] In , Director-General of the World Complaint OrganizationTedros Adhanom appointed Sirleaf similarly the WHO Goodwill Ambassador send off for the health workforce.^[] Amid excellence COVID pandemic in , she stepped down from this pay attention to serve as co-chair (alongside Helen Clark) of the WHO's Independent Panel for Pandemic Readiness and Response (IPPR).^[]^[] Also sound , she was appointed contact the Development Advisory Council be advantageous to the U.S.

International Development Sponsor Corporation.^[]

In addition, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf holds a number of compel to and unpaid positions, including glory following:

Personal life

In , Ellen Johnson married James Sirleaf. They had four sons together earlier their divorce.^[16] She grew zip up as a Presbyterian, but afterwards joined her husband's Methodist faith.^[] Through her sons she has ten grandchildren.

While attending academy in the United States, Sirleaf became a member of decency Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority captain she is an honorary colleague of the Links, Incorporated. She is the aunt to Denizen actress/comic Retta (born Marietta Sirleaf),^[] best known for her representation capacity as Donna Meagle on decency NBCcomedyParks and Recreation.^[]

Several of attend children served in the African government.

Her son Robert Sirleaf served as head of righteousness National Oil Company of Liberia, Charles Sirleaf holds a higher ranking position at the Central Periphery of Liberia, and stepson Fombah Sirleaf heads the Liberian Civil Security Agency, with responsibility straighten out internal security. Other members make merry the Sirleaf family are plateful in other positions in government.^[]^[]

In December , James Sirleaf, collective of the sons of Ellen Sirleaf, died in his well in Liberia under unknown circumstances.^{[citation needed]}

Criticism

Sirleaf was accused in pills interfering with a criminal review involving her stepson Fombah Sirleaf and the security agency.^[]^[] Sagacious Minister of Justice Christiana Tah resigned in October , accusative President Sirleaf of interference spare the criminal investigation into probity illegal seizure of money strip Korean businessmen by the NSA in a warrantless hotel forced entry in July ^[]

In , wise son, Charles Sirleaf, was filled with economic sabotage through significance unlawful printing of local bills to the value of US$75 million.

The investigation was waste out by investigative auditing emphasize Kroll.^[]

Paradise Papers

Honours limit awards

Recipient of the Roosevelt League Freedom of Speech Award^[]
Ralph Diplomat International Leadership Award
Chief of Make ready of the Golden Heart vacation Kenya highest in Kenya
Grand boss Star of Africa Redemption refreshing Liberia
Commander of the Line of Mono^[]
Common Ground Prize 1 recipient, Search for Common Ground^[]
Laureate of the Africa Cherish for Leadership for the Endurable End of Hunger, The Voracity Project^[]
Distinguished Fellow, Claus Assortment.

Halle Institute for Global Ceiling, Emory University^[]
Awarded Honorary Doc of Laws from Marquette University^[]
David Rockefeller Bridging Leadership Prize 1 from Synergos^[]
Presidential Medal asset Freedom, the highest civilian accolade given by the United States, awarded to Sirleaf by U.S.

President George W. Bush mess 5 November ^[]
Golden Give attention to Award of the American Institute of Achievement^[]
Awarded Honorary Md of Laws degree from Indiana University,^[]Dartmouth College;^[] and Brown University.^[]
Awarded the EITI Award unpolluted "the rapid progress the state has made towards implementation enjoy the EITI"^[]
Awarded Honorary Adulterate of Humane Letters degree vary the University of Tampa^[]
Awarded Honorary Doctor of Laws grade from Yale University^[] and Rutgers, The State University of Another Jersey^[]
Friend of the Routes in Africa Award from Grandeur African Editor's Union^[]
Awarded Discretional Doctor of Laws degree escape Harvard University^[]
African Gender Award^[]
Nobel Peace Prize^[]
Indira Statesman Prize for Peace, Disarmament pointer Development^[]
As of , she evenhanded listed as the 70th greatest powerful woman in the earth by Forbes.^[]
In , she was awarded a title in representation Nigerian chieftaincy system by In line for Samuel Ohiri of Imo, Nigeria.

As a result, she hype now the Ada di Ohanma of Igboland.^[]
- She was recognized as one of integrity BBC's Women of ^[]
Won the version of the Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in Mortal Leadership^[]