Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s Nobel Peace Prize may help ensure she gets a second term, but risks aggravating political tensions in the civil war-scarred country.
Voters will head to the polls on Tuesday in the second presidential election since the end of 14 years of fighting that killed more than 200 000 and left Liberia’s infrastructure in ruins.
In the tattered capital of Monrovia, many Liberians reacted with a spontaneous outburst of pride at the announcement by the Norwegian committee, while political foes were angered.
“During the civil war our country’s image... was of a country filled with war, cannibalism and human rights abuses,” said Cornelius Sarplah, a 55-year-old civil engineer. “Since she has come to power, she has changed that image and shown that we are a peaceful people.”
Christiana Nyepan, a 48-year-old teacher and supporter of the opposition CDC party, disagreed.
“She has not created peace or improved the situation for women. If she had, there would not be all this rape going on around the country,” she said, voicing continued concerns over security felt by many Liberians.
Sirleaf, who shares the award with fellow Liberian Leymah Gbowee, a peace activist, and Yemeni activist Tawakul Karman, said the prize was recognition of Liberia’s “many years of struggle for justice, peace and promotion of development”.
“I believe we (Gbowee and I) both accept this on behalf of the Liberian people, and the credit goes to the Liberian people,” Sirleaf said.
But the timing of the award, four days ahead of an election – in which she will face off against opposition rivals Winston Tubman and former rebel leader Prince Johnson – has raised eyebrows among critics and could increase tensions. Across town from Sirleaf’s residence, about 45 000 Tubman supporters packed into a stadium for a rally.
One opposition supporter was dressed as a caricature of Sirleaf, while others carried a coffin with a Liberian flag draped across it saying “Monkey Rest in Peace” – a jibe at her campaign slogan “Monkey Still Working, Baboon Wait Small”, an appeal to be allowed a new term to carry on her work. “They have no use giving her this award. She sponsored a war. Her winning this award will make us Liberians vote her out,” said John Sren, a 38-year-old security guard.
“The opposition is likely to be furious. This will seem like an endorsement and make the outcome seem like a foregone conclusion by the international community,” said Titi Ajayi, analyst at the International Crisis Group.
Norwegian Nobel Committee chairman Thorbjoern Jagland dismissed suggestions that the award might seem to be meddling with the Liberian vote. The election, if it goes smoothly, could pave the way for billions of dollars in mining and oil investment.
Sirleaf has earned plaudits for reducing Liberia’s debt while maintaining stability, but faces criticism for delays in rebuilding infrastructure and failing to root out crime and government graft.
The Harvard graduate and former World Bank and Citigroup economist has also taken flak for her early support of accused rebel Charles Taylor, facing judgment in a war crimes trial in the Hague, and for going back on a promise to serve only one term.
But analysts said, while the award could polarise the political scene, it will probably ultimately bolster her chances at the poll.
“She may even win outright,” said Lydie Boka, head of consultancy StrategiCo.
“But she needs to make sure people in remote areas know about her win, and how it may change their lives.” –
Reuters