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| African leadership prize withheld | |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Sudanese magnate Mo Ibrahim will not be awarding any African ex-leader his $5m (£3m) annual prize for good governance. | Sudanese magnate Mo Ibrahim will not be awarding any African ex-leader his $5m (£3m) annual prize for good governance. |
| Mr Ibrahim gave no reason for the decision, saying he had always intended for there to be years when no prize would be awarded. | Mr Ibrahim gave no reason for the decision, saying he had always intended for there to be years when no prize would be awarded. |
| Now in its third year, the prize is given to a democratically elected leader from sub-Saharan Africa who has served their term and then left office. | Now in its third year, the prize is given to a democratically elected leader from sub-Saharan Africa who has served their term and then left office. |
| South Africa's Thabo Mbeki and Ghana's John Kufuor had been the favourites. | South Africa's Thabo Mbeki and Ghana's John Kufuor had been the favourites. |
| The winners receive $5m over 10 years, and then $200,000 a year for life after that - the most valuable individual annual award in the world. | The winners receive $5m over 10 years, and then $200,000 a year for life after that - the most valuable individual annual award in the world. |
| 'No disrespect' | 'No disrespect' |
| Mr Ibrahim said people could draw their own conclusions about why no prize was awarded this year. | Mr Ibrahim said people could draw their own conclusions about why no prize was awarded this year. |
| But he said there was "no issue of disrespect" meant towards eligible candidates. | But he said there was "no issue of disrespect" meant towards eligible candidates. |
| "The prize committee welcomed the progress made on governance in some African countries while noting with concern recent setbacks in other countries," said a statement from the panel which made the decision. | "The prize committee welcomed the progress made on governance in some African countries while noting with concern recent setbacks in other countries," said a statement from the panel which made the decision. |
| MO IBRAHIM Sudan-born mobile phone entrepreneurMoved to UK in 1974 to studyBy 1983, director of BT CellnetFounded Mobile Systems International, which he sold to Marconi in 2000Then set up Celtel, used by 25m Africans2007: Started African leadership prize2008: Named UK's most influential black person Mo Ibrahim's mobile revolution | MO IBRAHIM Sudan-born mobile phone entrepreneurMoved to UK in 1974 to studyBy 1983, director of BT CellnetFounded Mobile Systems International, which he sold to Marconi in 2000Then set up Celtel, used by 25m Africans2007: Started African leadership prize2008: Named UK's most influential black person Mo Ibrahim's mobile revolution |
| "This year the prize committee has considered some credible candidates. However, after in-depth review, the prize committee could not select a winner." | "This year the prize committee has considered some credible candidates. However, after in-depth review, the prize committee could not select a winner." |
| Former president of Ireland and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson, one of the panel-members, said that if there had been a similar award for former European leaders this year, it might have been equally difficult to select a worthy winner. | Former president of Ireland and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson, one of the panel-members, said that if there had been a similar award for former European leaders this year, it might have been equally difficult to select a worthy winner. |
| BBC Africa analyst Martin Plaut says Mr Ibrahim established the prize because well-run African democracies are not thick on the ground. | BBC Africa analyst Martin Plaut says Mr Ibrahim established the prize because well-run African democracies are not thick on the ground. |
| Mr Ibrahim argues that the prize is needed because many African leaders come from poor backgrounds and are tempted to hang on to power for fear that poverty is what awaits them when they give up the levers of power. | Mr Ibrahim argues that the prize is needed because many African leaders come from poor backgrounds and are tempted to hang on to power for fear that poverty is what awaits them when they give up the levers of power. |
| But our analyst says recent evidence of the prize's effectiveness across Africa is not encouraging. | But our analyst says recent evidence of the prize's effectiveness across Africa is not encouraging. |
| Uganda, Chad and Cameroon have all changed their constitutions so their leaders can retain their positions. | Uganda, Chad and Cameroon have all changed their constitutions so their leaders can retain their positions. |
| There have been coups in Guinea, Mauritania and Madagascar, as well as several elections that fell well short of international standards. | There have been coups in Guinea, Mauritania and Madagascar, as well as several elections that fell well short of international standards. |
| And the countries that have received most praise from Mo Ibrahim's foundation this year - Mauritius, Cape Verde and Seychelles - are far from the continent's centres of power. | And the countries that have received most praise from Mo Ibrahim's foundation this year - Mauritius, Cape Verde and Seychelles - are far from the continent's centres of power. |
| Botswana's former President Festus Mogae won the prize last year, after two terms at the helm of one of Africa's least corrupt and most prosperous nations. | Botswana's former President Festus Mogae won the prize last year, after two terms at the helm of one of Africa's least corrupt and most prosperous nations. |
| The inaugural prize was given to Joaquim Chissano, Mozambique's former president, who has since acted as a mediator in several African disputes. | The inaugural prize was given to Joaquim Chissano, Mozambique's former president, who has since acted as a mediator in several African disputes. |
| What does it say about the continent's quality of leadership if Mo Ibrahim is not handing out his prize for good governance this year? Send us your comments using the postform below. | What does it say about the continent's quality of leadership if Mo Ibrahim is not handing out his prize for good governance this year? Send us your comments using the postform below. |
| I am disheartened by this development! this is a cover-up for a bigger problem with the award and not the absence of worthy recipients. it was just the other day when i was listening to Mo Ibrahim on BBC's the Interview and he was waxing rhapsodic about the need to reward African leaders on good governance. and it is not that there are deserving former presidents this year. Mr Kufuor would have been an obvious winner. I was almost appealing to Mr Ibrahim to broaden the award to include other African leaders in other fields who have made an impact in Africa and the world at large, i had Kofi Annan in mind. now the award is in chaos. is there a year when awarding of Nobel Prizes has been skipped? please enlighten me! am discouraged by this development!kiprotich, Nairobi | |
| The BBC has posed a question, but what really needs to be answered is why on earth would this article argue that BBC analysts don't think that the good governance prize has effected change in Africa? The prize has been in existence for three years, and what's more, I really doubt that Mo Ibrahim or anyone else expects this one initiative alone to change politics across Africa. It's a shame that the BBC was so keen to have an interesting end to the article that you did not think twice about doing this at the expense of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation. By setting the benchmark for success so high that everyone who tries will fail, the BBC is not contributing to democratic change in Africa. Andrea, Ottawa, Canada | |
| What it means is that, the concept of democracy is still not understood by African leaders.Yousif a hamid, Alajo Accra Ghana | |
| Mr. Ibrahim's decision not to award his prize for good governance says a lot more about his own flawed theory than the habitual failure of African leaders to extol the virtues of democracy and practice good governance. Most Africans who long to live in a well govern country, like Mr. Ibrahim, have rather decided to pack their bags and apply their enormous talents for the good of their adopted country than continue the seemingly ceaseless series of battles to bring good governance to African countries.Symeon Onipede, London | |
| Well, I express much gratitude to Mr Ibrahim for his awards. However no one requested him to institute any price for African leaders, he did that on his own volition. If he now thinks there is no reason to award anyone this year, so be it. He may as well scrap the entire scheme and surely he will have no African leader to debate him on that. The fact is whether or not there is such an award, leaders committed to good governance will do so and the convex will also hold for it doesn't necessarily take a schooling at the Vatican to reform a stubborn child. With or without his carrots the characteristics of African rabbits are evidently displayed on the continent for everyone to see. Sir Ras, Kumasi, Ghana | |
| I am disappointed. Mo Ibrahim should have given at least a reason the decision. Ghana has been hailed the world over for an impeccable democratic and governance credentials in sub-Saharan Africa. President Obama's visit here is a vivid and remarkable confirmation. The 2008 general election was the hottest and closest in the history of Ghana. Amidst this circumstances, President Kufour handed over power peacefully to the opposition who won by some thousands vote. Ghana saw a tremendous improvement in all spheres of our national lives due to the able leadership of President Kufour. President Kufuor deserved this award. I am truly devastated by this development.FAISAL IBRAHIM, GHANA | |
| Mo Ibrahim is being honest with himself. He has a responsibility to maintain his integrity. He is fully aware that there are serious questions being asked about the stewardship of prospective winners.Ateks Ebbe, Accra, Ghana | |
| it is very unfortunate the award is going prizeless this year.at least Mr Ibrahim have done us good if he was able to give us some explanation, which will go a long way to serve as a guide for future potential leaders. i think the planning committee has not been fair to the two forerunners of the award. that's John Kufuor and Thebo Mbeki. george boachie, kumasi, ghana | |
| Mo Ibrahim should be first to know that the issue of leadership ,corruption and periodic constitutional amendments are some of the challenges on the continent and these challenges have been with us from the commencement of democracy. mr. ibrahim should please look at the positive side of his initiative and continue with his good work. again i don't agree that African leaders are not coming from a poor background but a good one. if there weren't coming from a much more richer home could they have leaders of there political party? i want to take this opportunity to urge Mo Ibrahim to reconsider his decision. samuel mantey, ghana | Mo Ibrahim should be first to know that the issue of leadership ,corruption and periodic constitutional amendments are some of the challenges on the continent and these challenges have been with us from the commencement of democracy. mr. ibrahim should please look at the positive side of his initiative and continue with his good work. again i don't agree that African leaders are not coming from a poor background but a good one. if there weren't coming from a much more richer home could they have leaders of there political party? i want to take this opportunity to urge Mo Ibrahim to reconsider his decision. samuel mantey, ghana |
| For refusing to hand out this year award to a competent leader like former Ghanaian leader John KUFOUR, Mo Ibrahim has done a great disservice towards Africa's match to democracy.SETH ACHEAMPONG, Amsterdam, The Netherlands | For refusing to hand out this year award to a competent leader like former Ghanaian leader John KUFOUR, Mo Ibrahim has done a great disservice towards Africa's match to democracy.SETH ACHEAMPONG, Amsterdam, The Netherlands |
| Refraining from awarding the prize this year without giving reasons is like a dictator making decisions without counting on the people points of view. What makes him different from the African dictators? Just because he's running the show single headedly doesn't mean he should disrespect our leaders without a concrete reason. If you want to do it, do it. if you don't want to do it, don't pretend like you want to do it. If your foundation is running out of funds, say it, unlike trying to blindfold us with some untrue reasons. I'm so sorry if this offends you Mr Mo, but I'm so disappointed with this decision. It's really like disrespecting our former leaders.Ismael Reed, Johannesburg | Refraining from awarding the prize this year without giving reasons is like a dictator making decisions without counting on the people points of view. What makes him different from the African dictators? Just because he's running the show single headedly doesn't mean he should disrespect our leaders without a concrete reason. If you want to do it, do it. if you don't want to do it, don't pretend like you want to do it. If your foundation is running out of funds, say it, unlike trying to blindfold us with some untrue reasons. I'm so sorry if this offends you Mr Mo, but I'm so disappointed with this decision. It's really like disrespecting our former leaders.Ismael Reed, Johannesburg |
| I think it's a good idea for not awarding any past African Leader for this year. Apparently, non of them can be said to free from massive corruption and abuse of power allegations and it is in the interest of the awardees not be seen as pay back time for their collaborators in the perpetuating of these crimes against their own people.Victor Mills Asimenu, Accra-Ghana | I think it's a good idea for not awarding any past African Leader for this year. Apparently, non of them can be said to free from massive corruption and abuse of power allegations and it is in the interest of the awardees not be seen as pay back time for their collaborators in the perpetuating of these crimes against their own people.Victor Mills Asimenu, Accra-Ghana |
| i don't think that african governance deserve the award! their have not been any improvement, instead it is worsen!!!Francis okeke, Gambia | i don't think that african governance deserve the award! their have not been any improvement, instead it is worsen!!!Francis okeke, Gambia |
| I think the foundation would best serve children who are trying to surpass hard economic conditions to attain any level of education, African leaders are well heeled by the time they leave office. angela kariuki, nairobi kenya | I think the foundation would best serve children who are trying to surpass hard economic conditions to attain any level of education, African leaders are well heeled by the time they leave office. angela kariuki, nairobi kenya |
| I am from Botswana and studying in Australia. Mr Thabo Mbeki being given the price would have absolutely undermined its significance due to his handling of the Zimbabwe case. He was one of the few people who was blind enough not to see the brutality of Mugabe's regime. But with Mr Kufuor i dont know. Mr Ibrahim has vision.mopati h toteng, Adelaide, Australia | I am from Botswana and studying in Australia. Mr Thabo Mbeki being given the price would have absolutely undermined its significance due to his handling of the Zimbabwe case. He was one of the few people who was blind enough not to see the brutality of Mugabe's regime. But with Mr Kufuor i dont know. Mr Ibrahim has vision.mopati h toteng, Adelaide, Australia |
| Really bad, we should all encourage Mr. Mo Ibrahim, he is a true son of Africa who would like to see our children having a great future. However, the dark future planner politicians think that they would make more money in power if they change the constitution and retain the power rather than taking a hand out from Mr. Mo Ibrahim. I think the African Union should start controlling every African government and remove by force any leader who would like to stay in power for ever. The key success is to educate the illiterates who are easily manipulated.Jean-Paul Benda, London, UK | Really bad, we should all encourage Mr. Mo Ibrahim, he is a true son of Africa who would like to see our children having a great future. However, the dark future planner politicians think that they would make more money in power if they change the constitution and retain the power rather than taking a hand out from Mr. Mo Ibrahim. I think the African Union should start controlling every African government and remove by force any leader who would like to stay in power for ever. The key success is to educate the illiterates who are easily manipulated.Jean-Paul Benda, London, UK |
| It is very unfortunate and a sad day for African democracies.Peter B. Gwala, Windhoek & Namibia | It is very unfortunate and a sad day for African democracies.Peter B. Gwala, Windhoek & Namibia |
| Mr Ibrahim's refusal to give the prize goes to highlight the fact that African democracies are failing. Democratic leaders have not been examples of non-corrupt leadership even in the countries where the ex-presidents have been nominated. There is an unfortunate re-emergence of dictators on the continent with leaders attempting to and some successfully transferring power to their sons in some case in doubtful elections. When elected leaders give good leadership, the prizes are worth giving.Yaw Owusu-Brefo, Accra, Ghana | Mr Ibrahim's refusal to give the prize goes to highlight the fact that African democracies are failing. Democratic leaders have not been examples of non-corrupt leadership even in the countries where the ex-presidents have been nominated. There is an unfortunate re-emergence of dictators on the continent with leaders attempting to and some successfully transferring power to their sons in some case in doubtful elections. When elected leaders give good leadership, the prizes are worth giving.Yaw Owusu-Brefo, Accra, Ghana |
| It would have been very sad if Mr John Kufour had been given the award this year for good governance. I'm very happy he did not get it. This our ex-President was deeply steeped in corruption. Many decisions that his government made were to the detriment of the people of Ghana. He made sure that he benefitted from every deal and contract that his government was involved in. It is a well-known fact in Ghana that his government looted the country's coffers for the benefit of only his friends and family. I don't know too much about Mr Thabo Mbeki, but I can say volumes about Mr Kufour, because I have some of the facts. Thank you, Mo Ibrahim. J. Logo-Azagu, Tema, Ghana | It would have been very sad if Mr John Kufour had been given the award this year for good governance. I'm very happy he did not get it. This our ex-President was deeply steeped in corruption. Many decisions that his government made were to the detriment of the people of Ghana. He made sure that he benefitted from every deal and contract that his government was involved in. It is a well-known fact in Ghana that his government looted the country's coffers for the benefit of only his friends and family. I don't know too much about Mr Thabo Mbeki, but I can say volumes about Mr Kufour, because I have some of the facts. Thank you, Mo Ibrahim. J. Logo-Azagu, Tema, Ghana |
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