Festus Mogae wins leadership prize

LONDON – The Mo Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African leadership was awarded to former Botswana President Festus Mogae in London yesterday.

Here are some key facts about Mogae’s leadership and the Mo Ibrahim Prize: * Mogae served two terms in office, nearly 10 years, before handing over to Seretse Khama Ian Khama in a peaceful transition in April 2008. Before that he was vice president for six years.* He studied economics in Britain, before becoming a civil servant in Botswana.He has held roles at the International Monetary Fund and Bank of Botswana.* Botswana’s GDP per capita is the highest in sub-Saharan Africa, and the country is ranked the continent’s least corrupt by Transparency International.* The first winner of the prize was the former Mozambique President Joaquim Chissano, who was praised by the judges for his “achievements in bringing peace, reconciliation, stable democracy and economic progress” to his country.* Mo Ibrahim is a Sudanese-born telecommunications entrepreneur who is the founder of Celtel International, one of Africa’s most successful companies.* He believes that good governance requires an environment conducive to peace, security and development, based on the rule of law and respect for human rights.* The $5-million prize is the world’s largest individual award.In contrast, the Nobel Peace Prize pays $1.4 million.* The prize committee of six assess every sub-Saharan African leader who has left office in the previous three calendar years.* The committee comprises Kofi Annan, former United Nations Secretary-General; Martti Ahtisaari, former president of Finland; Aicha Bah Diallo, former minister of education in Guinea and director of basic education at Unesco; Mohamed ElBaradei, director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency; Mary Robinson, former president of Ireland and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights; Salim Ahmed Salim, former prime minister of Tanzania and one-time secretary-general of the Organisation of African Unity.Nampa-ReutersBefore that he was vice president for six years.* He studied economics in Britain, before becoming a civil servant in Botswana.He has held roles at the International Monetary Fund and Bank of Botswana.* Botswana’s GDP per capita is the highest in sub-Saharan Africa, and the country is ranked the continent’s least corrupt by Transparency International.* The first winner of the prize was the former Mozambique President Joaquim Chissano, who was praised by the judges for his “achievements in bringing peace, reconciliation, stable democracy and economic progress” to his country.* Mo Ibrahim is a Sudanese-born telecommunications entrepreneur who is the founder of Celtel International, one of Africa’s most successful companies.* He believes that good governance requires an environment conducive to peace, security and development, based on the rule of law and respect for human rights.* The $5-million prize is the world’s largest individual award.In contrast, the Nobel Peace Prize pays $1.4 million.* The prize committee of six assess every sub-Saharan African leader who has left office in the previous three calendar years.* The committee comprises Kofi Annan, former United Nations Secretary-General; Martti Ahtisaari, former president of Finland; Aicha Bah Diallo, former minister of education in Guinea and director of basic education at Unesco; Mohamed ElBaradei, director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency; Mary Robinson, former president of Ireland and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights; Salim Ahmed Salim, former prime minister of Tanzania and one-time secretary-general of the Organisation of African Unity.Nampa-Reuters