New York, New York (USA)-The International Crisis Group (ICG) has presented President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf an award for her outstanding leadership in democracy, development and peace building in Africa.

	• Pres. Johnson-Sirleaf

The Liberian leader received the ‘Fred Cuny Award for the Prevention of Deadly Conflict’ at the ICG’s 2008 Award Luncheon held today in New York City, U.S.A.

The award was presented to the President by Mr. George Soros, an Executive Member of the ICG and Chairman of the Open Society Fund.

ICG was established in 1995 by a group of prominent international citizens and foreign policy specialists who were appalled by the international community’s failure to act effectively in response to the crises in Somalia, Bosnia and Rwanda.

The ICG. aimed to create a new organization, wholly independent of any government, which would help governments, intergovernmental bodies and the world community at large prevent or at least contain deadly conflict and, if and when prevention failed, try to resolve it.

During her acceptance remarks, President Johnson Sirleaf said her Government’s major priority is to get the Liberian economy functioning, specifically the mining, forestry, and agriculture sectors.

She spoke of the need to get young people who were conscripted into conflict as a result of the country’s civil war back to school.

She also informed the gathering that Liberia, to some extent, remains fragile and emphasized a need to address what she referred to as the ‘historical cleavage’ of the country.

She stressed the core nature of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), describing it as ‘an important vehicle towards achieving reconciliation.’

The President also spoke of her government’s commitment to fighting poverty and creating opportunities and equity for all Liberians. She said her Government is committed to tackling the increased level of armed robbery in Liberia.

Speaking on international politics, President Johnson Sirleaf challenged African leaders to look at the Liberian experience as they seek to resolve the political stalemate in Zimbabwe. She stressed that the suppression of citizen’s rights leads to conflict and cautioned African leaders to ensure that Zimbabwe does not repeat Liberia’s mistakes.

President Johnson Sirleaf was honored along with former President of Finland, Marti Ahtisaari, who was lauded for his contributions towards conflict prevention and resolution in Europe, Asia and Africa. Also honored was Madam Samina Ahmed of Pakistan for her courageous service to the ICG in Pakistan and Afghanistan.