No Winners For 'Outstanding African Leadership' Prize

Sudanese-born telecommunications entrepreneur Mo Ibrahim. Reuters/Irada Humbatova

Organizers of a US$5-million prize for former African leaders which aims to shine a spotlight on democracy and outstanding leadership again failed to find a winner after no one met the criteria.

Reuters report continues:

To win the prize, set up by Sudanese telecoms tycoon Mo Ibrahim in 2006, a leader must have been a democratically elected head of state or government and left office in the past three years, serving only their constitutionally mandated term.

He or she must have shown outstanding leadership in developing their countries and lifting people out of poverty.

The seven-member prize committee did not select a winner for the 2015 award, the Mo Ibrahim Foundation said in a statement on Thursday.

Since being launched in 2006, the Ibrahim Prize has only been awarded four times - to Mozambique's Joaquim Alberto Chissano, Botswana's Festus Gontebanye Mogae, Cape Verde's Pedro De Verona Rodrigues Pires and Namibia's Hifikepunye Pohamba. South Africa's Nelson Mandela was awarded an honorary prize in 2007.

"When we launched the prize ten years ago, we deliberately set a very high bar," said Ibrahim, chairman of the foundation.

"We want the prize to shine a spotlight on outstanding leadership to provide role models right across society, as well as supporting laureates to continue to serve the continent by sharing their wisdom and experience."

Although elections have become more common on a continent once better known for military coups and instability, some leaders have remained in office long beyond their mandates, often pushing through constitutional changes to hold on to power.

The winner receives US$5 million over 10 years and then US$200,000 a year for life, and can apply for another US$200,000 a year for good causes they support.

Jonathan Falls Short Of US$5m Mo Ibrahim Prize

Vanguard reports that former President Goodluck Jonathan has failed to win the prestigious US$5 million Mo Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership despite meeting a key criterion.

The announcement was made on Thursday that no former African leader met the requirements for the 2015 version of the yearly award following a meeting of the independent Prize Committee chaired by Dr. Salim Ahmed Salim.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan The prize, largest annually awarded prize in the world, which was instituted in 2006 by Sudanese telecoms entrepreneur, Mo Ibrahim, rewards former African leaders who demonstrated sterling qualities while in office, served their constitutionally mandated term; and demonstrated exceptional leadership.

“The Prize recognizes and celebrates African executive leaders who, under challenging circumstances, have developed their countries and strengthened democracy and human rights for the shared benefit of their people, paving the way for sustainable and equitable prosperity.” It said.

The award is also “a standard for excellence in leadership in Africa, and not a ‘first prize’, there is not necessarily a Laureate every year,” the foundation said.

A winner enjoys US$5m over 10 years and another US$200,000 yearly for life and can also ask for another US$200,000 for good causes he or she supports.

So far, only the former presidents of Mozambique, Joaquim Chissano; Botswana’s Festus Mogae; Namibia’s Hifikepunye Pohamba; and Pedro Piers of Cape Verde have clinched the award. Ex-South African President Nelson Mandela was awarded an honorary prize in 2007.

Although, Jonathan seems to have met the Prize criteria which includes Former African Executive Head of State or Government, left office in the last three years, democratically elected, served his or her constitutionally mandated term, demonstrated exceptional leadership; it is unclear why he wasn’t given.

Allegations of massive corruption under his administration presently being investigated and prosecuted by the EFCC may have cost Jonathan the prize.