Credible sources have informed the Hot Pepper that President George Manneh Weah has been tipped to win the 2023 Mo Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership.
According to the sources, President Weah received the tip-off recently through a high-ranking official of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The Mo Ibrahim Prize celebrates exceptional African leaders who, under challenging circumstances, have developed their countries and/or strengthened democracy and human rights, paving the way for sustainable and equitable prosperity.
The criteria for winning the award are that an individual should be a former African Executive Head of State or Government, left office in the last three years, democratically elected, served his/her constitutionally mandated term, and demonstrated exceptional leadership.
A winner of the Mo Ibrahim Prize receives US$5 million cash prize over a ten-year period (US$500,000 annually). After the ten years elapse, the person receives US$200,000 per year until their demise.
Launched in 2007, the prize is intended to ensure that Africa continues to benefit from the experience and expertise of such leaders when they leave national office, by enabling them to continue their work in other public and philanthropic roles on the continent. However, it is not necessarily awarded every year, and has only been awarded in 2007, 2008, 2011, 2017 and 2020.
The Prize was last awarded to the President of Niger, Mahamadou Issoufou, in 2020 for his effort toward economic development of his country while working for regional stability, as well as his engagement to limit himself to two terms, leading to the first-ever democratic transition of power in Niger. Former President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf won the award in 2017 for taking the helm of Liberia when it was completely destroyed by civil war and led a process of reconciliation that focused on building a nation and its democratic institutions, and for helping to guide her nation towards a peaceful and democratic future, paving the way for her successor to follow.
President Weah, who has met all the criteria set for achieving the prize, recently conceded defeat in a closely contested election that was organized by his own administration, thereby attracting commendation from almost every part of the world for promoting a non-violent transition in a region marred by coups.
US President Joe Biden praised President Weah for respecting the will of the people and putting patriotism above politics. The President of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, also praised President Weah for defying the stereotype that peaceful transitions of power are untenable in West Africa. The African Union (AU), European Union (EU) and ECOWAS also praised Weah for his statesmanship.
If the information of Weah being tipped for the award is something to go by, it is expected that President Weah will receive the award during the next Ibrahim Governance Weekend (IGW), an annual event hosted by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation and convenes African political and business leaders, representatives from civil society, multilateral and regional institutions as well as Africa’s major international partners for a three-day event to debate issues of critical importance to Africa.
The 2023 IGW was held in Nairobi, Kenya, from April 28—30, 2023, and opened with the regular leadership ceremony, awarding in-person to former President of Niger, Mahamadou Issoufou, his 2020 Ibrahim Prize medal.