David Pilling in London | Financial Times |(Financial Times) – Former Liberian President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has become the first woman to win the $5m Mo Ibrahim prize for African leadership. Although criticised by some for nepotism, she won widespread acclaim for maintaining the peace and restoring a semblance of public services. “But I did and I went on to secure a political position.”At home, her support has suffered in recent years. However, she said, although the moves might not have looked good, “I stand by their record of integrity.”The Mo Ibrahim prize is awarded to a democratically elected head of state who serves his or her constitutionally mandated term and is seen to have demonstrated exceptional leadership. In several years since the prize’s inauguration in 2007, no African leader has been deemed a worthy recipient.

Source: GNN Liberia February 12, 2018 07:07 UTC