Supporters and admirers of the Liberian president and joint Nobel Peace Prize winner, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, know one thing for sure: the accolade will serve as a big boost to her resounding re-election as Africa's only female leader. Liberia's presidential and legislative elections begin tomorrow.

By Kullie Cornelius, Monrovia

"We can only hope that the voters will appreciate the award and vote wisely by ensuring the re-election of Madam Sirleaf after her years of struggle to make Liberia a better place," says Darius Dillon, a social justice activist and campaigner for Johnson-Sirleaf’s second term in office.

Clarence Farley, a young member of the opposition, believes that the Nobel Peace Prize will change the perception some Liberian voters have of Johnson-Sirleaf as a warmonger, a view propagated by opposition parties.

"The decision to award President Sirleaf with the Nobel Peace prize at this critical time is a definite plus for her re-election campaign. It's an advantage for her! The Nobel Peace award is timely and will have a great impact,” Farley says.

Darius Dillon

Photo: Kullie Cornelius

Women’s rights activist, Miatta Fahnbulleh, told journalists that "although the Nobel Peace Prize does not change voters' mind, it will reinforce the trust the international community has in President Johnson-Sirleaf.”

Provocative intervention
Although supporters of Johnson-Sirleaf think highly of the Nobel Peace Prize, other Liberians adhere to the view of the oppositional Congress for Democratic Change, in that the award is a "provocative intervention" [in the election process].

"Why should the Nobel Peace Committee give President Sirleaf the award now that we’re having elections? She does not deserve it and for me I don't think it will have any impact on changing the minds of people like me, who will vote against her,” says market trader Daniel Jallah.

Rose Mesahn, a student at the United Methodist University, endorses Jallah’s view. "We have already made up our minds and not a single accolade can change that. We know that Madam Sirleaf is favoured by the international community, but ordinary Liberians like us don't see anything happening to improve our lives.”

Well-timed boost
Media analyst Joe Wandah, who hosted a three-hour show on the day of the announcement of the Nobel Peace Prize, believes "President Johnson-Sirleaf got a well-timed boost as the Nobel Peace award enhanced her position and increased her already flowery image.”

Whatever the case, the impact of the Nobel Peace Prize will be tested tomorrow, when Liberia holds yet another critical and tight presidential election.