Ibrahim Prize

The Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership is an annual prize awarded to a former African executive head of state or government. For seven of the twelve years it has been offered, no leader has been found worthy of the award.[1]

The Ibrahim Prize
Awarded forexcellence in African leadership
Sponsored byMo Ibrahim Foundation
Presented byan independent Prize Committee
Reward(s)$5 million
First awarded2007
Last awarded2017
Websitemoibrahimfoundation.org

Background

Established by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation in 2007, the Ibrahim Prize celebrates excellence in African leadership. It is awarded to a former Executive Head of State or Government by an independent Prize Committee composed of eminent figures, including two Nobel Laureates.

The Ibrahim Prize

  • recognises and celebrates African leaders who have developed their countries, lifted people out of poverty and paved the way for sustainable and equitable prosperity
  • highlights exceptional role models for the continent
  • ensures that Africa continues to benefit from the experience and expertise of exceptional leaders when they leave national office, by enabling them to continue in other public roles on the continent

Criteria

  • former African Executive Head of State or Government
  • left office in the last three years
  • democratically elected
  • served his/her constitutionally mandated term
  • demonstrated exceptional leadership

With a US$5 million initial payment, plus $200,000 a year for life, the prize is believed to be the world's largest, exceeding the $1.3m Nobel Peace Prize. Former South African President Nelson Mandela, former United States President Bill Clinton, and former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan are among those who have welcomed the initiative.[2]

The Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership has been awarded in 2007, 2008, 2011, 2014 and 2017. Former South African president Nelson Mandela was an honorary laureate.

Prize Committee

Laureates
Year Laureate[3] Country Rationale
2007 Joaquim Chissano  Mozambique for "his role in leading Mozambique from conflict to peace and democracy."[4]
Nelson Mandela (honorary)[5]  South Africa
2008 Festus Mogae[6]  Botswana "President Mogae's outstanding leadership has ensured Botswana’s continued stability and prosperity in the face of an HIV/AIDS pandemic which threatened the future of his country and people."
2009 No award given[7]
2010 No award given[8]
2011 Pedro Pires[9]  Cabo Verde President Pires was awarded the 2011 Ibrahim Prize for his role in transforming Cape Verde into a model of democracy, stability and increased prosperity.[10]
2012 No award given. Selection committee chairman Salim Ahmed Salim stated there were no suitable candidates. He stated that "The economy has been moving forward relentlessly. However, economic development does not give us a reason to be a little complacent about participation and the human rights of people.”[11]
2013 No award given[12]
2014 Hifikepunye Pohamba[13]  Namibia "During the decade of Hifikepunye Pohamba’s Presidency, Namibia’s reputation has been cemented as a well-governed, stable and inclusive democracy with strong media freedom and respect for human rights."
2015 No award given[14]
2016 No award given[15]
2017 Ellen Johnson Sirleaf[16]  Liberia "In very difficult circumstances, she helped guide her nation towards a peaceful and democratic future, paving the way for her successor to follow."
2018 No award given[1]
2019 No award given[17]

See also

References
  1. Flanagan, Jane (2019-08-06). "African leaders fail $5m test yet again". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 2019-08-15.
  2. "Prize offered to Africa's leaders". BBC. 26 October 2006. Retrieved 2008-10-21.
  3. "Mo Ibrahim Foundation - Laureates". Mo Ibrahim Foundation. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
  4. "Mozambique ex-leader wins prize". BBC News. 22 October 2007. Retrieved 2008-10-21.
  5. Tutton, Mark (14 October 2013). "Mo Ibrahim prize for African leaders: No winner ... again". CNN. Retrieved 28 July 2015.
  6. "Festus Mogae wins Ibrahim Prize". BBC News. 20 October 2008. Retrieved 2008-10-21.
  7. "No award". 19 October 2009. Archived from the original on 27 October 2009. Retrieved 2009-10-19.
  8. "No award". 19 October 2009. Archived from the original on 27 October 2009. Retrieved 2009-10-19.
  9. "Cape Verde ex-leader Pedro Pires wins Mo Ibrahim prize". BBC News. 10 October 2011. Retrieved 2011-10-10.
  10. "The Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership". Mo Ibrahim Foundation. Archived from the original on 2015-02-06. Retrieved 2014-12-19.
  11. McGregor, Sarah (15 October 2012). "Mo Ibrahim Foundation Picks No Winner for African Leader Award". Bloomberg News.
  12. "Mo Ibrahim African leaders prize unclaimed again". BBC News. 14 October 2013. Retrieved 2013-10-14.
  13. "Announcement". Mo Ibrahim Foundation. 2 March 2015. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
  14. "Mo Ibrahim Foundation announces no winner of 2015 Ibrahim Prize for Achievement". 20 June 2016. Retrieved 2016-12-02.
  15. "Mo Ibrahim Foundation announces no winner of 2016 Ibrahim Prize for Achievement". 28 February 2017.
  16. "Announcement". Mo Ibrahim Foundation. 12 February 2018. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  17. "Ex-Botswana leader appointed chair of Ibrahim Prize committee". apanews.net. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
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