17 November 2008
Luanda — Angolan ambassador to Egypt, Hendrik Vaal Neto, represented Angola last Saturday in the ceremony that served to hand over to Botswana's former president, Festus Mogae, his international prize.
The event took place in the Alexandria Library.
This is a prize instituted by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, whose headquarters are in London,aimed at distinguishing African leaders that give an outstanding contribution to democracy and good governance.
The jury board, presided by the former UN secretary-general Kofi Annan, comprised several world personalities, such as former Finnish president Martti Ahtissari, the director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Mohamed El Baradei, the former secretary-general of the African Union, Salim Ahmed Salim, and the human rights international activist, Graça Machel (Nelson Mandela's wife).
Festus Mogae will get USD 5 million in the next ten years. He will also get USD 200,000 every year, for the next ten years, to apply in actions of public interest.
Last year, the prize went to former Mozambican president, Joaquim Chissano, who was the special guest at last Saturday's ceremony, an event that was enlivened by musicians like Youssou Ndour, Angelique Kidjo, Siphiwo Ntshebe, Julia Sarr and Mohamed Mounir.
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