Ex African Presidents fail to win 2015 Ibrahim award

The Mo Ibrahim Foundation has announced that there is no winner of the 2015 Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership.

HE Festus Mogae, ( Former President of  Botswane ) at a press conference for the  CHAMPIONS FOR AN AIDS FREE GENERATON IN AFRICA,  held at the Micheal Angelo Hotle in Sandton Johannesburg. AFP PHOTO/MUJAHID SAFODIEN 13 April 2015
HE Festus Mogae, ( Former President of Botswana ) at a press conference for the CHAMPIONS FOR AN AIDS FREE GENERATON IN AFRICA, held at the Micheal Angelo Hotle in Sandton Johannesburg.
AFP PHOTO/MUJAHID SAFODIEN 13 April 2015

The announcement was made following a meeting of the independent Prize Committee chaired by Dr. Salim Ahmed Salim.

“The Board respects the decision of the independent Prize Committee. When we launched the Prize ten years ago, we deliberately set a very high bar,” Chairman of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, Mo Ibrahim said on the decision of the Prize Committee.

“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.”

The candidates for the Ibrahim Prize are all former African executive Heads of State or Government who have left their office during the last three calendar years, having been democratically elected and served their constitutionally mandated term. The Prize Committee meets on a regular basis to review eligible candidates and has begun considering candidates for the 2016 Ibrahim Prize.

Since being launched in 2006, the Ibrahim Prize has been awarded four times. The previous Laureates are President Hifikepunye Pohamba of Namibia (2014), President Pedro Pires of Cabo Verde (2011), President Festus Mogae of Botswana (2008), and President Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique (2007). Nelson Mandela was the inaugural Honorary Laureate in 2007.