Mahamadou Issoufou, who is stepping down as president of coup-prone Niger after two terms in office, on Monday won Africa’s top prize for leadership.
He was awarded the 2020 Mo Ibrahim Prize for facing “seemingly insurmountable challenges”, ranging from deep poverty to jihadism and desertification. Despite these enduring problems, “Issoufou has led his people on a path of progress”, said a statement by award committee chairman Festus Mogae, who is also former president of Botswana. “Today, the number of Nigeriens living below the poverty line has fallen to 40 per cent, from 48 per cent a decade ago,” the statement said. “While challenges remain, Issoufou has kept his promises to the Nigerien people and paved the way for a better future.” Issoufou, 68, is stepping down next month after 10 years in office. His decision to quit after two terms has enabled Niger to have the first democratic transition between elected leaders since it became independent from France more than 60 years ago. The handover has been contrasted with that of other countries in West Africa, where presidents have overseen constitutional changes enabling them to extend their time in office — often at the cost of violent protests.
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