Published: March 6, 2026
CAPITOL HILL, Monrovia — Liberia’s House of Representatives on Thursday honored former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf with a special legislative citation recognizing her leadership and contributions to national development, during a rare plenary session in which the Nobel Peace Prize laureate addressed lawmakers.
The ceremony, held on Capitol Hill, drew sustained applause from members of the 55th Legislature as Sirleaf, Africa’s first elected female president, returned to the legislative chamber not as head of state but as a former leader reflecting on her 12-year presidency while urging lawmakers to confront key national challenges.
Presenting the citation, House Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon described the moment as both historic and reflective, praising Sirleaf for what he called her enduring role in shaping Liberia’s postwar recovery and democratic institutions.
“Her presence reminds us that leadership is not simply about holding office,” Koon said. “It is about leaving behind institutions, ideas and values that continue to serve the nation long after one’s tenure.”
Sirleaf used the occasion to move beyond ceremonial remarks, urging lawmakers to address several structural issues she said remain critical to Liberia’s long-term development.
Among the issues she highlighted was Article 27 of Liberia’s Constitution, which restricts citizenship to persons “who are Negro or of Negro descent.” Sirleaf encouraged lawmakers to revisit the provision as part of broader constitutional reform efforts, arguing that Liberia must modernize aspects of its governance framework to keep pace with emerging African economies.
The former president also raised concerns about land governance, warning that unresolved land disputes and large tracts of undeveloped land continue to hinder national development. She called for stronger policies and clearer land-use regulations, and suggested that the government could consider the use of eminent domain powers where necessary to ensure land is put to productive use.
Sirleaf also turned attention to the state of urban planning in Monrovia, contrasting the capital’s historic organization and infrastructure with what she described as growing challenges related to zoning, congestion and unregulated development. She urged lawmakers to support legislative measures that would enable authorities to restore order and improve the city’s infrastructure.
Perhaps her most pointed remarks focused on the low representation of women in Liberia’s national government. Sirleaf noted that only nine women currently serve in the 73-member House of Representatives, while two women sit in the 30-member Senate, a situation she said reflects a troubling imbalance in political participation.
“This embarrasses me,” Sirleaf told lawmakers. “It embarrasses women in Liberia. It embarrasses women in Africa and worldwide.”
She encouraged legislators to consider policy interventions, including quota systems or other legal mechanisms, to increase women’s representation in national leadership.
Lawmakers said the legislative citation was intended to acknowledge Sirleaf’s broader legacy, particularly her role in guiding Liberia through the difficult period of postwar reconstruction following the country’s civil conflicts.
During her presidency from 2006 to 2018, Sirleaf oversaw major reforms aimed at stabilizing Liberia’s economy, rebuilding national institutions and restoring the country’s standing in the international community.
Thursday’s session offered lawmakers a rare opportunity to hear directly from a former head of state while publicly recognizing her contributions to Liberia’s political and economic recovery.
The plenary session concluded with sustained applause from lawmakers and dignitaries present in the chamber, underscoring Sirleaf’s continued influence in Liberia’s national discourse and her enduring place in the country’s political history.
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