H.E. Kofi Annan, the Chair of the Prize Committee of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, will today announce the winner of this year’s Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership to the world’s media.

The largest individual annual award in the world, the Ibrahim Prize is worth US$5,000,000 over ten years and US$200 000 a year for life. A further US$200 000 a year for ten years, is also available for public interest activities and good causes espoused by the winner.

It is conferred to a democratically-elected former Executive Head of State or Government from a sub-Saharan African country, who must serve a constitutionally mandated term and left office in the last three years.

The Prize Committee of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, who will be in attendance, comprises Kofi Annan (Chair), former Secretary-General of the United Nations and Nobel Laureate, Martti Ahtisaari, former President of Finland and United Nations special envoy to Kosovo, Aïcha Bah Diallo, former Minister of Education in Guinea and Director of Basic Education at UNESCO.

Also in attendance will be Mohamed ElBaradei, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Graça Machel, Chancellor of the University of Cape Town, and former Minister of Education and Culture in Mozambique, Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and Salim Ahmed Salim, former Secretary-General of the Organisation of African Unity and former Prime Minister of Tanzania.