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Former Cape Verde President Pires Awarded 2011 Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership
October 11, 2011
By: Mark Hsen | Printer Friendly

On October 10, the Mo Ibrahim Foundation announced that former Cape Verde President Pedro Verona Pires had been selected for the 2011 Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership.  Established in 2007 by Sudanese philanthropist Mo Ibrahim, the award is given to recognize democratically elected African heads of state who govern wisely and abide by constitutional term limits. The Prize awards an initial $5 million paid over 10 years and an additional $200,000 annually for life.  The award also provides a potential $200,000 per year for charities or causes supported by the winner.  Pires is the first candidate to win in three years due to the Foundation's belief in a lack of suitable candidates.

The Ibrahim Prize selection committee decided to award Pires because of his vision and accomplishments in transforming Cape Verde into a stable democracy with a viable economy.  Under Pires’ administration, the African island nation became "only the second African country to graduate from the United Nation's Least Developed category"; remarkable due to the nation's lack of natural resources.  As reported by the Financial Times, this achievement is particularly notable due to the environment when many other African nations were suffering from a reversal in political and other freedoms.  Pires, who recently stepped down from power in September 2011, was also awarded for his commitment to democracy and the rule of law.  As reported by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, Pires dismissed suggestions for a constitutional revision to allow him a third term stating that it was a "simple matter of faithfulness to the documents that guide a state of law."

Pires played a significant role in the liberation movement against Portugal.  Following independence in 1975, Pires became Prime Minister, an opportunity he used to usher greater political freedoms, reforms to liberalize the economy, and a path towards the nation's first democratic elections in 1991.  Pires was subsequently elected President in 2000, and re-elected in 2005.  He stepped down in September 2011 after completing his two term limit.  With the loss of his party's candidate, Cape Verde experienced a peaceful constitutional transfer of power.

In conjunction with the award, the Mo Ibrahim Foundation published its annual rankings on African governance.  As reported by Financial Times, the 2011 index showed improvements in economic and human development, however 39 of 54 African states regressed in human rights performance.  Cape Verde remained highly ranked at number two on the governance index.

Sources:
Financial Times – Ex-Cape Verde leader wins governance prize

Mo Ibrahim Foundation – News Release: President Pedro Verona Pires of Cape Verde wins the 2011 Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership

Reuters – Cape Verde's Pires wins African governance award

New York Times - Ex-President of Cape Verde Wins Good-Government Prize

BBC News – Cape Verde ex-leader Pedro Pires wins Mo Ibrahim prize