New Delhi:Ellen Johnson Sirleaf the Liberian President was conferred the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development here on Thursday.
Sirleaf, who became Africas first woman head of state in 2006 when she took over as president of her civil war-scarred West African nation of four million people, was given the award by President Pranab Mukherjee at a well-attended function at the historic Durbar Hall of Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Sirleaf is the 26th winner of the prize that was first given in 1986. Among those honoured have been presidents, royalty, global leaders, world statesmen and community activists.

Sonia Gandhi, the chairperson of the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust, in her tribute to Sirleaf, said: “Owing to her integrity, good governance, and courage to swim against the tide, it gives me immense pleasure that Her Excellency Dr.Ellen Johnson-Sirleafs name is now being added to the distinguished list of recipients of this prize.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also paid her handsome tributes, saying, “You have made history as the first elected female head of state in Africa. More importantly, you have set your country on the path of peace, stability, democracy and development after two decades of suppression, violence and conflict.”