MONROVIA, LIBERIA – Africa’s first female president, former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, marked her 86th birthday on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, with a powerful call to action for her fellow Liberians. In a deeply reflective statement, Sirleaf emphasized the urgent need for Liberia to overcome its historic and contemporary challenges, calling on citizens to work toward honesty, national unity, and institutional integrity.
“Fellow compatriots, as I greet you through this message this morning, join me in thanking God for the blessings of life,” began Sirleaf, whose message was as much a reflection on her life as it was a call for Liberia’s future. She expressed gratitude not only for her 86 years but also for the life experiences that have shaped her—both the joys and the profound sorrows, including the recent loss of two of her “professional sons” in just two years.
Yet Sirleaf quickly turned her focus from her personal life to the nation, declaring, “Liberia is at a crossroads.” She outlined Liberia’s legacy of division, political manipulation, and “failure to assimilate” and urged citizens to draw strength from the nation’s resilience in overcoming past crises, including military regimes, civil war, and the Ebola epidemic.
In her message, Sirleaf highlighted Liberia’s legacy of support for African liberation movements and the crucial role of Liberian women in shaping the country’s progress, pointing to figures such as Chief Suah Koko, who helped bring Firestone’s investment, and Angie Brooks Randall, Africa’s first female president of the United Nations General Assembly. Sirleaf herself made history as Africa’s first elected female head of state, a milestone she hoped would inspire other African nations.
As Liberia stands on the brink of political change, Sirleaf cautioned, “The stakes are high.” She observed how other African nations are restructuring for the future while countries like Liberia risk “being left behind” due to persistent challenges and “recurring bad habits.”
The former president’s message included a stark warning to Liberia’s government institutions. She urged the legislature to “make laws and not noise,” the judiciary to “dispense justice without being compromised,” and the executive branch to “speak with the power of exemplary behavior.” Sirleaf did not shy away from calling for a halt to corruption, emphasizing, “It is time to stop the steal.”
“Some will ask, why this message now?” Sirleaf questioned. “It’s because time for us, time for Liberia, is running out.” She insisted that silence is no longer an option, warning that those who remain silent are “culpable in wrongdoings.”
Sirleaf concluded her heartfelt message by inviting Liberians to join her in reflection and action, urging a transformation in attitudes, honesty, and a dedication to real change in Liberia’s governance. “Wish me a happy 86th birthday,” she concluded, urging her fellow citizens to commit to a brighter future for Liberia.
