Mo Ibrahim Foundation Announces No Winner of 2015 Ibrahim Prize

The Mo Ibrahim Foundation has announced that there was no winner of the 2015 Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership, a statement issued by the foundation stated on Thursday.

The announcement was made following a meeting of the independent Prize Committee chaired by Dr. Salim Ahmed Salim.
Commenting on the decision of the Prize Committee, Mo Ibrahim, Chairman of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, said: “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.

“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 were President Hifikepunye Pohamba of Namibia (2014), President Pedro Pires of Cape Verde (2011), President Festus Mogae of Botswana (2008), and President Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique (2007). Nelson Mandela was the inaugural honorary laureate in 2007.

The Ibrahim Prize is the largest annually awarded prize in the world, consisting of: US$5 million over 10 years and US$200,000 per year for life thereafter.
It is also possible for Ibrahim laureates to apply for an additional US$200,000 per year for philanthropic activities.