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Ex-Botswana President receives Mo Ibrahim award

Other News Materials 20 October 2008 17:28 (UTC +04:00)

Former president of Botswana, Festus Gontebanye Mogae, received the 5-million dollar Mo Ibrahim award, recognizing his achievements in African leadership, reported dpa.

The announcement was made by former UN-Secretary General Kofi Annan, who recommended Mogae for his fight against Aids, pandemic in the country led by Mogae from 1998 to 2008.

The highest prize awarded to individuals in the world, the award was founded by Sudan-born businessman Mo Ibrahim, the founder of Celtel International communications. Mogae, 69, is to receive 5 million dollars (3.7 milion euros) over 10 years and 200,000 dollars per years subsequently.

"President Mogae's outstanding leadership has ensured Botswana's continued stability and prosperity in the face of an HIV/Aids epidemic which threatened the future of his country and people," Annan said.

The award was decided by a committee also including new Nobel Peace laureate and former Finnish President Artti Ahtisaari. dpa emc

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