When
considering the current political and economic development of Sub-Saharan
Africa, you’d think that the leaders have something to do with it… right? That
their governance and leadership skills are being used to benefit their nation
and continent? Well, Mo Ibrahim thinks otherwise. Ibrahim is a native Sudanese,
and British cellular phone tycoon who has recently begun awarding former, commendable
African leaders with the modest sum of $5 million. But not all former leaders
can win this award. On October 15th the Mo Ibrahim Foundation
announced that for the third time in the last six years this award has been
presented, “None [of the former African leaders considered] met criteria needed
to win this award.” I chose to blog about this award because while its
intention is to “bring forward a picture of the good side of Africa”, in
reality it is demonstrating a lack of competent leadership on the continent.
First,
let’s look at the Mo Ibrahim Foundation award to clarify its requirements and
establish whether these standards are reasonable. The Foundation’s mission is
to “invest in governance and leadership to catalyze Africa’s transformation”
through an annual award, scholarships, forums, and more. In terms of the $5
million award, these terms (“governance” “leadership”) are more specifically
defined on the Mo Ibrahim Foundation website:
Leadership is centred on setting priorities or making choices and
taking risks.
Progressive leadership
Progressive leadership
- Defines a clear and coherent
vision that
is inclusive,
inspirational and innovative
- Requires courageous and
forward-looking decision-making
- Delivers results
Governance is centred on the implementation of policies and the
management of risk.
Responsible management ensures
Responsible management ensures
- Optimal allocation of limited
resources
- Inclusivity of all
sectors of society
- Balanced pursuit of
successful development
- Effective implementation and
delivery of programmes
In addition to
these requirements, candidates must have voluntarily left their position as
head of a nation in the past three years. While these prerequisites seem more
like ideals than essential characteristics, the previous leaders of Botswana,
Cape Verde, and Mozambique have obtained the award, thus demonstrating its viability.
When Mo Ibrahim was interviewed on Monday, and asked if he would consider
potentially changing the criteria for this award, he dismissed the idea. But
more interestingly, he stated that he did not think there would be more winners
if this award were given to another continent.
The
award’s history, in addition to its recent award recipient (no one) highlights
a huge problem on the African continent. While there seem to be huge strides in
political and economic development, African leadership has yet to evolve into a
democratic, responsive form. Ibrahim has stated that one of the primary
incentives of this award is for leaders to voluntarily leave office: “…many
leaders of sub-Saharan African countries come from poor backgrounds and are
tempted to hang on to power for fear that poverty awaits them when they leave
office.” Ultimately, while the world’s largest prize (exceeding the Nobel Peace
Prize by almost $4 million) has an honorable intention and aims at rewarding
the rare, effective leaders on this poverty-stricken continent, it has also
drawn a lot of negative attention to African leaders. With news headlines such
as “No African leader qualifies for $5m award, again” and “Africans fail leadership test yet again
as $5m prize gathers
dust”
perhaps this can be the start to the attention and international pressure that
is needed for an overall reform in African leadership.
Sources:
Nicole-
ReplyDeleteGreat breakdown of the award, but its interesting that you use the term "bounty," which has a negative connotation- Does this mean you disapprove of the award?