On page 313 of her biography "This Child Will Rise," Ellen Johnson Sirleaf made a million dollar dream. Years on, that dream has materialized. Here is exactly what she said:
"And after that? Well, perhaps I will earn the Mo Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership, a new prize rewarded annually to the retired African head of state who most significantly improves the lives of his or her country’s citizens.
"The winner, who must have also democratically transferred power to his or her successor, receives $5 million over ten years, then $200,000 annually for life thereafter. What is more, the winner may also receive $200,000 a year for ten years toward her public-interest activities and good causes.
"Former Mozambican president Joachim Chissano was awarded the first Ibrahim Prize in 2007, but there’s no reason a woman cannot win soon. I am increasingly looking forward to that chance."
So she dreamt it and received it in Kigali, Rwanda in late April. With another first to her name. First female winner of the award. Other Sirleaf firsts, first democratically elected female president and recipient of Nobel Peace Prize.
But her memoir authored in 2009 would still have some upgrades with the immediate post-presidency - sacked from her party, handing over to George Weah, continuing women empowerment etc.
But for me, the Jammeh jam of January 2017 is what I really want to read about. Sirleaf was ECOWAS chair when The Gambia was plunged into political tension after Jammeh attempted to cling on to power after losing December 2016 polls.
The events of February 2017 saw Jammeh attempt to unilaterally alter the poll results. Sirleaf's maturity laced with watertight diplomacy clearly saved the day.
She was refused to land in Banjul in the heat of the crisis. Later she would accompany chief mediator Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria and John Mahama of Ghana and Ernest Bai Koroma on two occasions to meet with headstrong Jammeh.
Then flew to Abuja to meet Buhari over the situation. Then there was the famous diplomatic phone call Jammeh recorded and played on national TV. Sirleaf rightfully so did blast exiled Jammeh of engaging in a ruse.
Jammeh is "forgotten" history, he is imprisoned in Equatorial Guinea. Sirleaf is travelling the world positively impacting society. This life affords us options and one must walk the path they pick.
Dear Ma Sirleaf:
I'm happy you are richer out of office than you could ever have been as President.
Having said that, please do upgrade the memoir for us. We need closure to fine details of some of those incidences. We really do.
Thank you.
"And after that? Well, perhaps I will earn the Mo Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership, a new prize rewarded annually to the retired African head of state who most significantly improves the lives of his or her country’s citizens.
"The winner, who must have also democratically transferred power to his or her successor, receives $5 million over ten years, then $200,000 annually for life thereafter. What is more, the winner may also receive $200,000 a year for ten years toward her public-interest activities and good causes.
"Former Mozambican president Joachim Chissano was awarded the first Ibrahim Prize in 2007, but there’s no reason a woman cannot win soon. I am increasingly looking forward to that chance."
So she dreamt it and received it in Kigali, Rwanda in late April. With another first to her name. First female winner of the award. Other Sirleaf firsts, first democratically elected female president and recipient of Nobel Peace Prize.
But her memoir authored in 2009 would still have some upgrades with the immediate post-presidency - sacked from her party, handing over to George Weah, continuing women empowerment etc.
But for me, the Jammeh jam of January 2017 is what I really want to read about. Sirleaf was ECOWAS chair when The Gambia was plunged into political tension after Jammeh attempted to cling on to power after losing December 2016 polls.
The events of February 2017 saw Jammeh attempt to unilaterally alter the poll results. Sirleaf's maturity laced with watertight diplomacy clearly saved the day.
She was refused to land in Banjul in the heat of the crisis. Later she would accompany chief mediator Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria and John Mahama of Ghana and Ernest Bai Koroma on two occasions to meet with headstrong Jammeh.
Then flew to Abuja to meet Buhari over the situation. Then there was the famous diplomatic phone call Jammeh recorded and played on national TV. Sirleaf rightfully so did blast exiled Jammeh of engaging in a ruse.
Jammeh is "forgotten" history, he is imprisoned in Equatorial Guinea. Sirleaf is travelling the world positively impacting society. This life affords us options and one must walk the path they pick.
Dear Ma Sirleaf:
I'm happy you are richer out of office than you could ever have been as President.
Having said that, please do upgrade the memoir for us. We need closure to fine details of some of those incidences. We really do.
Thank you.
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