The Prize Committee of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation met in London yesterday to conclude its deliberations on the 2012 Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership. Following its meeting, the Prize Committee informed the Board of the Foundation that it had not selected a winner for 2012.

The Prize is an annual US$5 million award paid over 10 years and US$200,000 annually for life thereafter. It has been established to recognise and celebrate excellence in African leadership, and to provide Laureates with the opportunity to pursue their commitment to the African continent once they have stepped down from office. It is awarded to a democratically elected former African Executive Head of State or Government who has left office in the previous three years; served her/his constitutionally mandated term; and demonstrated excellence in office.

The Prize Committee stated: “The Prize Committee reviewed a number of eligible candidates but none met the criteria needed to win this Award.

The Award is about excellence in leadership. In the first six years the Prize Committee has selected three very worthy Laureates who continue to be an inspiration and whose examples, we hope, will be emulated.”

In 2011, the Prize was awarded to President Pedro Verona Pires of Cape Verde for his “vision in transforming Cape Verde into a model of democracy, stability and increased prosperity.”

President Pires followed Joaquim Chissano (2007) and Festus Mogae (2008) as Ibrahim Laureates. Nelson Mandela was made the honorary inaugural Laureate in 2006. In 2009 and 2010 the Prize Committee did not select a winner.