Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, Africa's first elected female head of state, has announced she will run for re-election next year, despite previously promising to serve only one term.

"I now announce to you, and to the thousands of supporters in radio land and abroad, that I will be a candidate. Let me repeat, I will be a candidate, just a minute, a commendable candidate," she said during her annual address to parliament.

Press Secretary Cyrus Badio told state radio Sirleaf's decision was due to her successes as president, after her election in 2005 in the wake of a brutal civil war.  "The president has decided to go for a second round because of the numerous successes she has realised over the years in power. She has significantly changed the lives of Liberians," said Badio.  "She has reinstalled water and electricity in the capital and some parts of the rural parts of Liberia. She has rebuilt the infrastructure that was destroyed during the war."

Sirleaf's candidature comes despite a report by Liberia's Truth and Reconciliation Commission naming her among some 50 people who it recommended be banned from holding public office for 30 years for supporting warring factions during the civil war.

Sirleaf proposed amendments to the national human rights commission act to enable a commission to work alongside the justice ministry to "determine those recommendations that are implementable under the constitution and laws of our nation."

source: AFP

photo: EPA