By Bill W. Cooper
President George M. Weah recently faced a gracious defeat in his bid for re-election on the ticket of the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), sending shockwaves across Liberia.
As he delivered his acceptance speech following the run-off election results, it became apparent that his defeat might dash his hopes of being awarded the prestigious Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership.
This prize, established in 2007 by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, is an annual prize awarded to a former African Executive Head of State or Government, on criteria of good governance, democratic election, and respect of term limits.
The prize also recognizes and celebrates African leaders who have developed their countries, lifted people out of poverty, and paved the way for sustainable and equitable prosperity.
Another is to ensure that Africa continues to benefit from the experience and expertise of exceptional leaders when they leave national office, by enabling them to continue in other public roles on the continent.
Criteria set forth to be qualified for the prize include a former African head of government, left office in the last three years, democratically elected, served their constitutionally mandated term, and demonstrated exceptional leadership.
Furthermore, since its inception, the Prize has been awarded 7 times in 2007, 2008, 2011, 2014, 2017 and 2020, while former South African President, Nelson Mandela, was named an honorary laureate in 2007 and Desmond Tutu was awarded a special prize for speaking truth to power in 2012.
The Mo Ibrahim Prize recipients are awarded US$5 million, divided into annual instalments of US$500,000 paid out over 10 years, followed by US$200,000 annually, thereafter.
With a US$5 million payment, the Ibrahim Prize is believed to be the world’s largest, exceeding the US$1.5m Nobel Peace Prize, as former South African President Nelson Mandela; former United States President, Bill Clinton, and former United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, are among those who have welcomed the initiative.
Notable winners of the prize are former President Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique and Nelson Mandela of South Africa (Honorary), both in 2007; former President Festus Mogae of Botswana, 2008, and former President Pedro Pires of Cape Verde, 2011.
Others are former President Hifikepunye Pohamba of Namibia, 2014; former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia, 2017, and former President Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger, 2020.
President Weah, a former football superstar, stormed into the political arena with promises of change and progress. In 2017, he secured a historic victory, becoming the first former international footballer to be elected as the President of an African nation.
However, during his tenure, many Liberians became disillusioned with his leadership, ranging from economic trauma, rampant corruption, mysterious killings, coupled with the misuse of public funds and break down of the rule of law, resulting in his recent defeat.
President Weah had been widely seen as a potential recipient of the Ibrahim Prize, particularly when he first took office. His celebrated football career had positioned him as a symbol of hope and possibility for many Liberians.
However, his tenure has faced significant challenges, coupled with his pronouncement of a possible return to the country’s Presidency in 2029, something which has raised doubts about his eligibility for the esteemed award.
President Weah, in his acceptance speech, called on his party members to regroup and adapt their strategies for the next election in 2029, emphasizing the importance of peaceful transition of power and respect for the democratic process.
“I urge you to follow my example and accept the results of the election. Go home tonight with the knowledge that our ideas and vision for Liberia remain strong. We are a young movement and our time will come again.
The CDC has lost the election, but Liberia has won, and it is time to place country above personal interest. I remain your President until the handover of power and I will continue to work for the good of Liberia,” he added.
Meanwhile, political pundits have argued that Weah’s administration has been marred by corruption allegations, economic stagnation, and a lack of progress in key areas such as education and healthcare.
These concerns, according to them, have eroded public trust in his leadership, potentially diminishing his chances of being recognized for the Mo Ibrahim Prize this year.
Even one of President Weah’s allies, Senator Edwin Melvin Snowe, has said the President could miss out on the Mo Ibrahim Prize due to his ambition to again contest the Liberian Presidency in 2029.
Sen. Snowe, in an OK FM interview Monday in Monrovia, said, “Someone said to me few days ago that wow, in President Weah’s concession speech, if he had not mentioned that he will be contesting in 2029, that speech would have qualified him for the Mo Ibrahim Award.”
“And between you and myself, Clarence, that speech could have qualified him for the Mo Ibrahim award in the tune of US$5 million, because to win the Mo Ibrahim award, you have to be de-political and cannot be into active politics,” he added.
As Liberians await the inauguration of their new leader, the actions and decisions made by President Weah in the coming days will undoubtedly shape his legacy as to whether he will be qualified as an Ibrahim Prize laureate.
While the Ibrahim Prize can be an exceptional honor, the Foundation recognizes that outstanding African leadership is a collective endeavor that requires consistent effort, visionary policies, and sustainable progress.
Past recipients such as Nelson Mandela, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, and Hifikepunye Pohamba, have left indelible marks on their countries and the continent as a whole, but Weah’s government’s performance will be critical in determining his bid for the Prize.
