Council for a Community of Democracies

Liberian President Announces Bid for Re-Election in 2011
January 27, 2010
By: Randi Zung

Despite promising only to hold office for one term, current President of Liberia Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, has announced her intention to seek re-election in 2011. Prior to Sirleaf delivering the President’s Annual Message to the National Legislature, news outlet AllAfrica quoted Sirleaf as proclaiming: “I will be a formidable candidate.” After she announced her intentions, it was reported that thousands of individuals took to the streets of Liberia to celebrate. According to an article by Voice of America, Junior Minister Issac Jackson stated: “The vast majority of people in this country are saying that Madame Sirleaf is conducting the affairs of the state properly.” In an address to members of the State Department, United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton commended Sirleaf for her work on combating gender violence and advocating for the protection of women and children, AFP reports.

While it would seem that many are in support of Sirleaf, there are also individuals who are critical of Sirleaf’s bid for re-election. According to a draft report by Liberia's Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), Sirleaf was identified as a person who should be barred from public office for giving money to corrupt former Liberian president Charles Taylor, Voice of America reports. The TRC’s report, which is currently still being reviewed by parliament, removed Sirleaf from the final report, but critics like human rights activist Adama Demster stated that her original inclusion “should not just be overlooked” because of her proclamation to run for re-election. In addition, her critics cite disappointment over her decision to run for another term after publicly stating that she would not.

Sirleaf, Africa’s first democratically elected female President, was elected in 2005. The 2011 election will be the first time the country has experienced a back-to-back peaceful transition process between administrations. Liberia was the site of successive civil wars that lasted from 1989 to 2003.

Sources:

AllAfrica - Hilary Clinton Endorses Sirleaf's 2nd Term Bid

AFP - Clinton supports re-election bid of Liberia's Sirleaf

Voice of America - Liberian President's Re-election Bid Draws Mixed Reactions