The Ibrahim Prize, awarded by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation which rewards excellent leadership in Africa, was awarded this year 2020 to the President of Niger, Mahamadou Issoufou.
He is “the worthy 2020 winner of the Ibrahim Prize”, indicates the Foundation’s press release published on Monday, stressing that Issoufou “has consolidated economic growth for the benefit of his fellow citizens, shows an unwavering commitment to stability regional and tirelessly defended respect for constitutional and democratic rule ”.
“Today the number of Nigeriens living below the poverty line has fallen to 40%, down from 48% ten years ago. Obviously, the challenges remain significant, but President Issoufou has kept his commitments to the Nigerien people and paved the way for a better future “, also indicates the text.
Issoufou, democratically elected in 2011, then re-elected in 2016, allowed his country to experience a first democratic transition between two elected presidents. He did not succumb to the trap of running for a third term. The outgoing president will hand over his hand, next April, to his dolphin Mohamed Bazoum, elected after a second round at the end of February.
“I consider this award as an encouragement to continue to think and act in order to promote democratic values and good governance not only in Niger but also in Africa and in the world,” Issoufou said on twitter.
He is the sixth recipient of the Ibrahim Prize, behind the Liberian Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia (2017), the Namibian Hifikepunye Pohamba (2014), the Cape Verdean Pedro Pires (2011), the Botswanan Festus Mogae (2008) and the Mozambican Joaquim Chissano (2007).
This prize, which is worth five million dollars paid over ten years, had not been awarded since 2017, due to a lack of candidate meeting the required conditions.
By OMA Newsletter N ° 178 of 03/08/2021
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