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Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf Wikipedia

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Image:Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf.jpg|frame|Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf
Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf (born October 29, 1938) will be the next the President of Liberia. Her victory was formally announced by the Liberian electoral commission on 23rd November 2005 following the Liberian elections, 2005|2005 election. She is the first elected List of Female Presidents|female President of an African country. Her Vice-President will be Joseph Boakai

Educated at Harvard University|Harvard, Johnson-Sirleaf became involved in government when she became Finance Minister in President William R. Tolbert, Jr.|William Tolbert's administration in 1970. While running for Senate of Liberia|Senate in 1985, she spoke out against the People's Redemption Council|military regime, and was sentenced to ten years in prison. Released after a short period, she left in exile and returned in 1997 in the capacity of an economics|economist, working for the World Bank, and Citibank in Africa.

Initially supporting Charles Taylor's rebellion against Sergeant Samuel Doe, she later went on to oppose him, and ran against him in the Liberian elections, 1997|1997 presidential elections. She managed only 10% of the votes, as opposed to Taylor's 75%. Taylor charged her with treason. She campaigned for the removal of President Taylor from office, playing an active and supportive role in the transitional government, as the country prepared itself for the Liberian elections, 2005|2005 elections. With Taylor's departure, she returned to take over the leadership of the Unity Party (Liberia)|Unity Party.

In the first round of 2005 voting, she came second with 175,520 votes, putting her through to the runoff vote on November 8 against former football (soccer)|footballer George Weah. On November 11th, the National Electoral Commission of Liberia declared Johnson-Sirleaf to be President-elect of Liberia. On November 23rd they confirmed their decision saying that Johnson-Sirleaf had won with a margin of almost 20% of the vote. Weah is currently awaiting the results of the inquiry by the National Electoral Commission concerning his allegations of fraud. However, independent international, regional, and domestic observers have all declared the vote to be free, fair and transparent.

Ms. Johnson-Sirleaf is the mother of four sons and has six grandchildren.

Last Modified:   2005-12-19