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Images from Press Conference to announce 1st Winner of Ibrahim Prize, London 2007

Images from Inaugural Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership, Alexandria 2007

Joaquim Chissano wins the
largest prize in the world

Kofi Annan announces the former President of Mozambique as the winner of the Mo Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership

Joaquim Chissano, the former President of Mozambique, has been announced today as the winner of the inaugural Mo Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership. The largest individual award in the world, it comprises:

• US$5 million over 10 years and US$200,000 annually for life thereafter

• Up to US$200,000 a year for 10 years towards the winner’s public interest activities and good causes

Announcing the Laureate in front of an audience of London’s African diplomatic community, civil society representatives and the media, Kofi Annan, the Chair of the Prize Committee, said that “President Chissano’s achievements in bringing peace, reconciliation, stable democracy and economic progress to his country greatly impressed the committee. So, too, did his decision to step down without seeking the third term the constitution allowed.”

Praising his Government’s economic progress, poverty reduction programmes, infrastructure development and work to tackle HIV/AIDS, Kofi Annan stated that “it is his role in leading Mozambique from conflict to peace and democracy that President Chissano has made his most outstanding contribution.” He also commended President Chissano for his “major contribution outside his country’s borders” which included providing “a powerful voice for Africa on the international stage”.

Kofi Annan stated that “the Prize celebrates more than just good governance. It celebrates leadership. The ability to formulate a vision and to convince others of that vision; and the skill of giving courage to society to accept difficult changes in order to make possible a longer term aspiration for a better, fairer future.”

The annual Prize has been established by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, launched in October 2006 as an African initiative to strengthen governance in Africa. The winner was selected by the Prize Committee of six eminent individuals who assessed every sub-Saharan African leader who has left office in the last three full calendar years on their exercise of leadership.

The Committee drew on research from the recently published Ibrahim Index of African Governance, and a range of other sources, to assess the quality of governance in the areas of economic and social development, peace and security, human rights, democracy and the rule of law. The Prize aims to encourage leaders who fully dedicate their tenure of office to surmount the development challenges of their countries, improving the livelihoods and welfare of their people and consolidating the foundation for sustainable development.

On hearing the outcome of the Prize Committee’s deliberations, Mo Ibrahim, the founder of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, said: “I am absolutely delighted that Joaquim Chissano has been selected as the first Laureate. As a man who has reconciled a divided nation and built the foundations for a stable, democratic and prosperous future for the country, he is a role-model not just for Africa, but for the rest of the world.”

For more information, please contact:
English
Diana Jackson
T. + 44 20 7404 5344
M. +44 7904 752736
diana.jackson@portlandpr.co.uk

English & French
Aurelie Caulier
T. + 44 20 7404 5344
M. + 44 7939 647911
aurelie.caulier@portlandpr.co.uk

Notes for Editors

1) Joaquim Chissano served as Head of State of Mozambique from November 1986 to February 2005. He was elected President in October 1994 and then again in December 1999, announcing that he would step down from office in 2004. A full biography of the winner can be found at www.moibrahimfoundation.org

2) Excerpts form the Prize Committee citation include:

• President Chissano’s achievements in bringing peace, reconciliation, stable democracy and economic progress to his country greatly impressed the committee. So, too, did his decision to step down without seeking the third term the constitution allowed.

• President Chisssano took office after winning his country’s first multi-party elections in 1994. The historic elections were held just two years after he had helped the country end, through negotiations, the 16-year civil war which had devastated Mozambique, left thousands dead and forced many to flee their homes. He led a country whose infrastructure and economy were ruined, its society deeply divided and which suffered from sever natural disasters.

• Huge challenges remain but, under his two terms, Mozambique established a stable economy with robust growth and increased foreign direct investment. Its economy has been one of Africa’s emerging success stories.

• Although Mozambique remains one of the poorest countries in the world, poverty levels have fallen. The poverty reduction programmes also saw, from a low base, an increase in the number of children in education and improvements in health care. In addition, women were empowered to participate in the political and economic life of the country.

• Solid efforts have been made to rebuild hospitals and schools destroyed during the prolonged civil ware. The Government showed strong leadership in trying to tackle the HIV / AIDS epidemic.

• But it is in his role in leading Mozambique from conflict to peace and democracy that President Chissano has made his most outstanding contribution. It is a measure of the remarkable change that has taken place that national and regional elections have been contested in a generally peaceful manner by both sides in the bitter civil war. This remarkable reconciliation between opponents provides a shining example to the rest of the world, and is testament to both his strength of character and his leadership.

• His decision not to seek a third Presidential term reinforced Mozambique’s democratic maturity and demonstrated that institutions and the democratic process were more important than personalities.

The full Prize Committee citation can be found at www.moibrahimfoundation.org

3) The Prize Committee is chaired by former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan and comprised of Martti Ahtisaari, former UN Special Representative for Namibia and former President of Finland; Aïcha Bah Diallo, former Minister of Education in Guinea and Special Adviser to the Director-General of UNESCO; Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Managing Director, World Bank (effective:1 December 2007); Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (and board member of the Foundation); Salim Ahmed Salim, former Prime Minister of Tanzania and former Secretary-General of the Organisation of African Unity (and board member of the Foundation)

4) The Mo Ibrahim Foundation is the vision of Dr Mo Ibrahim, founder of the African telecommunications company Celtel International and one of Africa’s most successful business leaders, and has been established to support the attainment of good governance in Africa. A not-for-profit organisation, the Foundation is governed by a board of trustees that includes Dr Mo Ibrahim (founder, Celtel International); Lalla Ben Barka (Deputy Executive Secretary, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa); Lord Cairns (Chairman, Charities Aid Foundation); Dr Mamphela Ramphele (former Managing Director, World Bank); Mary Robinson (former President of Ireland and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights); Salim Ahmed Salim (former Secretary-General, Organisation of African Unity), and Nicholas Ulanov (Managing Director, The Ulanov Partnership)

5) Nelson Mandela states: “Mo Ibrahim has a vision to promote and recognise good governance that will drive Africa’s political and economic renaissance… This is an African initiative celebrating the successes of new African leadership. It sets an example that the rest of the world can emulate. We call for leaders across the world – in government, civil society and business – to endorse its aims and back its vision.”

6) The Ibrahim Index of African Governance is an innovative new ranking of governance quality in sub-Saharan Africa. Developed under the direction of the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, with the help of an advisory council of African academics, the Ibrahim Index of African Governance assesses sub-Saharan Africa’s 48 nation states against a comprehensive new index of governance indicators. To find out more: www.moibrahimfoundation.org/index

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Geneva, Switzerland - Monday 2nd April 2007

Kofi Annan is chosen as Chairman of Prize Committee for the Mo Ibrahim Prize

Mo Ibrahim Foundation announces committee to select winner of world’s largest prize

Kofi Annan, the former UN Secretary-General, is to be joined by five eminent individuals on the Prize Committee that will select the winner of the largest prize in the world: the Mo Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership. The announcement is being made after the Prize Committee met for the first time this weekend in Geneva, Switzerland.

Worth US$5 million dollars over 10 years and US$200,000 annually for life thereafter, the Prize is open to former heads of state or government from sub-Saharan Africa who have left office in the last three years and demonstrated exemplary leadership.

Mr Annan is joined on the Committee by:

Martti Ahtisaari, former UN Special Representative for Namibia and former President of Finland
Aïcha Bah Diallo, former Minister of Education in Guinea and Special Adviser to the Director-General of UNESCO
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, former Finance Minister and Foreign Minister of Nigeria
Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (and board member of the Foundation)
Salim Ahmed Salim, former Prime Minister of Tanzania and former Secretary-General of the Organisation of African Unity (and board member of the Foundation)

The Committee will assess every sub-Saharan African leader who has left office in the last three years on their exercise of leadership. The Foundation will announce the first winner of the Prize on 22nd October 2007.

The Committee will draw on research from the Ibrahim Index of African Governance, and other sources, and assess the quality of governance in the areas of economic and social development, peace and security, human rights, democracy and the rule of law. The Prize aims to encourage leaders who fully dedicate their tenure of office to surmount the development challenges of their countries, improving the livelihoods and welfare of their people and consolidating the foundation for sustainable development.

Speaking in Geneva at the announcement of the Committee, Mr Annan says:

"The task that lies before us - identifying the best in African leadership - is challenging. While developed countries have an important role to play in creating an enabling environment for Africa’s development, it is for Africa to lead and take ownership of Africa’s development process. Good governance and leadership are central to finding solutions to the vast challenges that face Africa. We hope that the Mo Ibrahim Prize will help to energise African leadership and encourage a new generation of young leaders to step up to this most urgent of challenges."

Dr. Mo Ibrahim, founder of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, says:

"I am delighted to have all these people here today. The Foundation will benefit enormously from the insight and experience of Mr Annan, Mr Ahtisaari, Mrs Okonjo-Iweala, Mrs Bah Diallo, Mrs Robinson and Mr Salim. With this Prize and the Ibrahim Index, we hope to make a unique contribution to assessing governance and recognising leadership in Africa."

ENDS

CONTACT

Robert Watkinson
+ 44 (0)20 7421 6143
robert.watkinson@portlandpr.co.uk

Images from the inaugural meeting of the Prize Committee will be available via AFP from 09.00 GMT, Monday 2nd April.

Notes to editors:

The Mo Ibrahim Foundation is the vision of Dr Mo Ibrahim, founder of the African telecommunications company Celtel International and one of Africa’s most successful business leaders, and has been established to support the attainment of good governance in Africa. A not-for-profit organisation, the Foundation is governed by a board of trustees that includes Dr Mo Ibrahim (founder, Celtel International); Lalla Ben Barka (Director, Regional UNESCO Bureau for Education); Lord Cairns (Chairman, Charities Aid Foundation); Dr Mamphela Ramphele (former Managing Director, World Bank); Mary Robinson (former President of Ireland and former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights); Salim Ahmed Salim (former Secretary-General, Organisation of African Unity) and Nicholas Ulanov (Managing Director, The Ulanov Partnership).
The Ibrahim Index of Governance in Africa is a new, comprehensive ranking of good governance in sub-Saharan Africa. Developed under the direction of Professor Robert Rotberg of the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, the Ibrahim Index aims to promote debate not just in Africa but around the world on the criteria by which governments should be assessed.
The Mo Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership recognises African leaders who have demonstrated excellence in political leadership. Unprecedented in its scale and scope, the Prize affirms the importance of nurturing outstanding leaders in Africa. The Prize will consist of US$5 million dollars over 10 years and US$200,000 annually for life thereafter. There will be a further $200,000 a year made available in the first ten years for good causes espoused by the leader. The Mo Ibrahim Prize is the world’s largest annually awarded prize.

www.moibrahimfoundation.org

Download the above press release

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Thursday 26 October 2006 - for immediate release

New Foundation to announce world's biggest prize

Nelson Mandela and world leaders laud initiative that will "drive Africa's political and economic renaissance"

World leaders, including Nelson Mandela, Kofi Annan, Bill Clinton and Tony Blair are today pledging their support for a radical new initiative being launched to promote and recognise good governance in Africa.

The Mo Ibrahim Foundation, created by Dr Mo Ibrahim, the founder of Celtel International, is being launched this morning in London. Alongside Board members that include Mary Robinson and Salim Ahmed Salim, Dr Mo Ibrahim will announce:

A rigorous new index to measure and benchmark good governance in Africa on a country-by-country basis, developed under the direction of Prof. Robert Rotberg at the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.
Details of the world's biggest prize, the Mo Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership, to be awarded to former African executive Heads of State or Government who have demonstrated excellence in African leadership. The prize will consist of US$5 million dollars over 10 years and US$200,000 annually for life thereafter. There will be a further $200,000 a year made available for good causes espoused by the leader.

At the Foundation's launch, Dr Mo Ibrahim will state: "Nothing, simply nothing, is more important to African development than good governance. Today, I am launching a foundation which aims to change fundamentally the choices faced by African leaders, and as a result recast the terms of the governance debate."

Nelson Mandela states: "Mo Ibrahim has a vision to promote and recognise good governance that will drive Africa's political and economic renaissance...This is an African initiative celebrating the successes of new African leadership. It sets an example that the rest of the world can emulate. We call for leaders across the world - in government, civil society and business - to endorse its aims and back its vision."

Kofi Annan, the UN Secretary General states: "Thanks to Mo's vision, the Foundation can contribute to the growing movement to build honest and enlightened African leadership. It can encourage the next generation to adopt high standards of public service, and it can produce that unique spark of creativity which ignites when the private and public sectors work together."

Bill Clinton, the former US President, states: "Mo Ibrahim has started an African Foundation to help Africa move forward... I thank Mo Ibrahim for the leadership he is demonstrating, the prize for which will be one we can all share - a better and brighter future for our children."

Tony Blair, the Former British Prime Minister, states: "It is for African leaders to drive forward policies and plans for reducing poverty... The Foundation aims to reward and encourage exemplary leadership - an aim which has my full support. I wish the Foundation every success in this important work."

Paul Wolfowitz, President of the World Bank, states: "I want to thank Dr Ibrahim and the Mo Ibrahim foundation for their vision and for the support they are offering to those African leaders who recognize that maintaining the highest standards of good governance is the path to healthier and more productive lives for all the citizens of Africa."

Alpha Konare, Chair of the African Union, states: "I commend this vision which is a laudable initiative to acknowledge statesmanship and purposeful leadership?Kü it should help to encourage good governance, the rule of law, and the entrenchment of democracy with all its principles."

Amartya Sen, the Nobel Prize winning economist, states: "The Mo Ibrahim Prize initiative is a very significant development in advancing the cause of high standards of political leadership which can be very important for enhancing the wellbeing of residents of Africa and the strength of African civil societies."

Notes to editors:

The launch will take place at the Atrium, 4 Millbank, Westminster, SW1P 3JA from 8.45am on Thursday 26 October. All media are welcome.

On Friday 27th October, in conjunction with the Centre of African Studies at the University of London, the Foundation will host a panel discussion entitled 'Benchmarking Good Governance in Africa'. The Foundation will then visit Nairobi and Johannesburg.

For more information on the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, Mo Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership and the Ibrahim Index of Governance in Africa, please visit www.moibrahimfoundation.org