Global Development: Views from the Center
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October 22, 2007
Former Mozambique President Joaquim Chissano Wins the $5 Million-Plus Mo Ibrahim Prize Partly for NOT Seeking a Third Term
Posted by Vijaya Ramachandran at 02:21 PM
In London today, Kofi Annan announced Joaquim Chissano, the former president of Mozambique, as the first winner of the largest award in the world--the Mo Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership. The award consists of $5 million over 10 years and US$200,000 annually for life, as well as up to $200,000 a year for 10 years "towards the winner's public interest activities and good causes". President Chissano was praised for putting his country on a path towards peace and democracy and for a variety of economic reforms. He was also commended for NOT seeking a third term. The prize is funded by the UK based telcom entrepreneur, Mo Ibrahim, who sold his pan-African company CelTel to Kuwait-based MTC for $3.4 billion in 2005.
Will the Mo Ibrahim Prize lead to better governance in Africa? Its emphasis on economic reforms, the fight against HIV/AIDS, peace building, and democracy is clearly a step in the right direction. Whether it is enough to reduce corruption and improve the performance of African leaders--particularly the worst offenders--is difficult to predict. But we should note that Mr Ibrahim is an exceptionally successful man, and can perhaps make headway in an area where more conventional efforts have failed.
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Comments
It would be interesting to discuss, among other things, why Chissano did NOT seek a third term and whether this was HIS decision or FRELIMO's (ruling party) decision. Perhaps the prize should have gone to FRELIMO. For those who know Mozambique in some depth, it is pretty clear that FRELIMO 'persuaded' Chissano not to go for a third term, not least because of the many scandals and serious allegations ('good governance'???) surrounding his family (accumulation of wealth through nepotism, son involved in high-profile assassination of anti-corruption outspoken journalist, etc.).
Posted by: Carlos at October 30, 2007 10:14 AM
I am willing to suspend skepticism because of what Mo Ibrahim has achieved and because I think creative new initiatives are needed to promote the value of leadership in Africa. I doubt the prize will have much impact if it is limited to current and former presidents, however. Leadership is needed at all levels of government. My nomination for next year's prize: Dora Akunyili of the Nigerian Food and Drug Agency who risks her life to ensure safe drugs and food are on the market in Africa's most populous country.
Posted by: Jeff Barnes at November 14, 2007 12:43 AM