Contrary to her campaign promises on November 27, 2005 limiting her intention for Liberia’s Presidency to one-six year term, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has back-tracked her 2005 campaign promises and announced her preparedness to contest the upcoming Presidential election in 2011 terming her position as “formidable”.

“I will be a candidate. I will be a formidable candidate in the 2011 elections”, President Sirleaf revealed when she delivered her 5^th state of the nation address to the National Legislature, amidst cheers from supporters, mainly Lawmakers and partisans of the Unity Party.

President Sirleaf earlier promised the people of Liberia in 2005, particularly on November 27 that when elected to the nation’s highest seat, she would serve for only one term and turns the country over to a successor.

Prior to the declaration of intent for the nation highest seat, several organizations including citizens of Grand Gedeh and the National Traditional Council had petitioned President Sirleaf to contest the presidency due to her commitment to reform the war damaged country.

President Sirleaf was recommended by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission final report to face a 30 year sanction from holding public office for her role she played in the Liberian civil crisis.

“To bring to an end all speculations, that I now announce to you and to the thousands of supporters in radio land and abroad that I will be a candidate, a formidable candidate, in the 2011 elections. Let us travel the rest of this road together knowing that the God who brought us this far will not leave us”, President Sirleaf said.

Other opposition Politicians including Charles Brumskine have condemned recent pronouncement made by President Sirleaf terming her as contradictory in her utterances. Montserrado County Senator Geraldine Doe-Sheriff has termed it as sad day in Liberia for the President to use precious time to address issue of national concern to self glorified political talks.

The announcement made by the Liberian leader puts to rest speculation and rumor surrounding her intention to contest the upcoming election.