Liberia's Sirleaf wins $5m Mo Ibrahim African leadership prize

 Liberia's ex-president, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, has won the $5m (£3.6m) Mo Ibrahim prize for African Leadership.

Mrs Sirleaf was praised for her work rebuilding the nation after a devastating civil war and leading a process of reconciliation.
Notwithstanding Ms Sirleaf being accused of tolerating corruption, the prize committee stated that she had shown exceptional leadership in difficult circumstances.
It added that Liberia was the only country out of 54 to improve in every category and sub-category of the Ibrahim Index of African Governance.

She became Africa's first elected female president in 2006, and served two terms.
Her own party has expelled her, alleging she had campaigned for Mr Weah, the current president rather than her party's candidate.

She is the fifth recipient of the prize since 2007, which celebrates African leaders who governed well, raised living standards and then left office.
The $5m prize is spread over 10 years and is followed by $200,000 a year for life.
But it is not always awarded. On six occasions, no leader was considered worthy of it.

Mo Ibrahim prize timeline:

• 2007: Mozambique's former President Joaquim Chissano
• 2008: Botswana's former President Festus Mogae
• 2009: No award given
• 2010: No award given
• 2011: Cape Verde's former President Pedro Verona Pires
• 2012: No award given
• 2013: No award given
• 2014: Namibia's former President Hifikipunye Pohamba
• 2015: No award given
• 2016: No award given

Source: BBC