Monday, January 16, 2006

GOOD NEWS FROM LIBERIA

Where Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has been been sworn in as President of Liberia. From MSNBC:
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, a 67-year-old grandmother, surprised even the U.S. when she was elected Africa’s first woman president.

What was her slogan? "All the men have failed Liberia; let's try a woman this time."
Well it worked for her. Nicknamed the 'Iron Lady', I imagine she'd agree with our own Iron Lady who famously said:
If you want anything said, ask a man. If you want something done, ask a woman.
Sexist nonsense aside, the BBC reports:
Loud cheers greeted her inauguration, with US First Lady Laura Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice among those at the ceremony.

Mrs Johnson-Sirleaf says her top challenge is to maintain peace, law and order after 14 years of civil war.
Just a few small matters then. And that's not all:
After a quarter of a century of war and misrule, Liberia's road network is in ruins, there is no national telephone network, no national electricity grid and no piped water.

A further challenge is to reintegrate the 100,000 ex-combatants, including many former child soldiers, into civilian life.
Ouch. Here's wishing her luck.

posted by Dan @ 4:42 pm