Festus Mogae Receives the Mo Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership at the BA
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Alexandria—
The BA hosts on Saturday, 15 November 2008, an international ceremony organized by Mo Ibrahim Foundation to honor Festus Mogae, former President of Botswana as the Winner of the Mo Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership. The annual Prize has been established by the renowned Sudanese businessman Mohamed Fathi Ibrahim, and was launched in October 2006 as an African initiative to strengthen governance, democracy, and development in Africa.
The Honorary Ceremony will be attended by political leaderships, academia, media men, and civil society representatives, in addition to distinguished international leaderships including Kofi Anan, Former Secretary General of the United Nations; Mohamed Ibrahim, Founder of the Prize; Joaquim Chissano, Former President of Mozambique and First Winner of the Mo Ibrahim Prize; Mary Robinson; Former President of Ireland; and Mohamed El-Baradei, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
The Ceremony will include performances by renowned African Singers, namely: Angelique Kidjo, Youssou N’Dour, Siphiwo Ntshebe, and Julia Sarr, and will be followed by Egyptian Singer Mohamed Mounir’s performance.
In a press conference held in London on 20 October 2008, Kofi Anan announced the Former President of Botswana as the Winner of the Mo Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership. The Mo Ibrahim Award recognized a leader who managed to transform a country ravaged by civil war into a multi-party democracy.
President Mogae’s outstanding leadership has ensured Botswana’s continued stability and prosperity in the face of an HIV/AIDS pandemic which threatened the future of his country and people. This greatly impressed the Committee.
The Mo Ibrahim Prize consists of US$ 5 million over 10 years and US$ 200,000 annually for life thereafter. The Foundation will consider granting a further $200,000 per year for ten years towards public interest activities and good causes espoused by the Laureate.
For more information on the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, please visit the Foundation's website:
http://www.moibrahimfoundation.org/
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