Hopes of banning FGM in Liberia fade ahead of election Liberian president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf battled unsuccessfully to ban female genital mutilation during her 12-years as Africa's first female president, and now as she prepares to step down ahead of Tuesday's general election, it's feared hopes of outlawing the practice will fade too. A voiced AFPTV report.REFILE TO CLARIFY THAT ESTHER DID NOT GROW UP IN THE VILLAGE WHERE SHE NOW LIVES