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Botswana's Mogae wins $5m prize Botswana's Mogae wins $5m prize
(about 2 hours later)
Botswana's former President Festus Mogae has won a $5m (£2.8m) prize to encourage good governance in Africa.Botswana's former President Festus Mogae has won a $5m (£2.8m) prize to encourage good governance in Africa.
He stepped down in April after serving two terms in office.He stepped down in April after serving two terms in office.
Botswana is one of Africa's most stable countries - it has never had a coup and has had regular multi-party elections since independence in 1966.Botswana is one of Africa's most stable countries - it has never had a coup and has had regular multi-party elections since independence in 1966.
Announcing the prize, ex-UN Secretary General Kofi Annnan also commended Mr Mogae for his action to tackle the Aids pandemic which has ravaged the country. Announcing the prize, ex-UN Secretary General Kofi Annan also commended Mr Mogae for his action to tackle the Aids pandemic which has ravaged the country.
The Ibrahim Prize - the most valuable individual annual prize in the world - was set up by Sudan-born telecoms entrepreneur Mo Ibrahim.The Ibrahim Prize - the most valuable individual annual prize in the world - was set up by Sudan-born telecoms entrepreneur Mo Ibrahim.
As well as the $5m prize, Mr Mogae, 69, gets $200,000 a year for the rest of his life.As well as the $5m prize, Mr Mogae, 69, gets $200,000 a year for the rest of his life.
Alcohol banAlcohol ban
Mr Mogae pointed out that Botswana was already doing well before he became president in 1998.Mr Mogae pointed out that Botswana was already doing well before he became president in 1998.
FESTUS MOGAE Born: 1939Became president: 1998Stepped down: 2008Took serious action to tackle AidsLeft Botswana wealthy and stableCriticised for moving BushmenFESTUS MOGAE Born: 1939Became president: 1998Stepped down: 2008Took serious action to tackle AidsLeft Botswana wealthy and stableCriticised for moving Bushmen
"I did not create the democracy in my country, I consolidated it and deepened it by practiced, accountable governance, respect of the rule of law, independence of the courts, respect for human rights, including women's rights," he told the BBC."I did not create the democracy in my country, I consolidated it and deepened it by practiced, accountable governance, respect of the rule of law, independence of the courts, respect for human rights, including women's rights," he told the BBC.
But Mr Mogae also inherited a country with one of the world's highest rates of HIV/Aids and he took strong action to tackle it, making Botswana the first sub-Saharan African country where anti-retroviral drugs were widely available for free.But Mr Mogae also inherited a country with one of the world's highest rates of HIV/Aids and he took strong action to tackle it, making Botswana the first sub-Saharan African country where anti-retroviral drugs were widely available for free.
The drugs are known locally as "Mogae's tablets", reports the AP news agency.The drugs are known locally as "Mogae's tablets", reports the AP news agency.
"President Mogae's outstanding leadership has ensured Botswana's continued stability and prosperity in the face of an HIV/Aids pandemic which threatened the future of his country and people," Mr Annan said."President Mogae's outstanding leadership has ensured Botswana's continued stability and prosperity in the face of an HIV/Aids pandemic which threatened the future of his country and people," Mr Annan said.
Kofi Annan announcing the winnerKofi Annan announcing the winner
Botswana has Africa's highest average income and is seen as its least corrupt country, according to Transparency International.Botswana has Africa's highest average income and is seen as its least corrupt country, according to Transparency International.
It is the world's biggest diamond producer but unlike other resource-rich countries in Africa, this has not become a source of conflict.It is the world's biggest diamond producer but unlike other resource-rich countries in Africa, this has not become a source of conflict.
"Botswana demonstrates how a country with natural resources can promote sustainable development with good governance, in a continent where too often mineral wealth has become a curse," Mr Annan said."Botswana demonstrates how a country with natural resources can promote sustainable development with good governance, in a continent where too often mineral wealth has become a curse," Mr Annan said.
Mr Annan also noted that Mr Mogae had tried to diversify Botswana's economy away from its reliance on diamonds.Mr Annan also noted that Mr Mogae had tried to diversify Botswana's economy away from its reliance on diamonds.
In 2006, President Mogae's government introduced a law curbing the sale of alcohol and banning it on Sunday.In 2006, President Mogae's government introduced a law curbing the sale of alcohol and banning it on Sunday.
He blamed alcohol for the spread of HIV/Aids, among other problems.He blamed alcohol for the spread of HIV/Aids, among other problems.
But Mr Mogae also came in for criticism from lobby group Survival International for Botswana's policy of relocating Bushmen groups away from their traditional homes in the Kalahari desert.But Mr Mogae also came in for criticism from lobby group Survival International for Botswana's policy of relocating Bushmen groups away from their traditional homes in the Kalahari desert.
Mr Mogae was succeeded as president by Seretse Khama Ian Khama in April.Mr Mogae was succeeded as president by Seretse Khama Ian Khama in April.
Former Mozambican President Joaquim Chissano won the inaugural Ibrahim Prize last year.Former Mozambican President Joaquim Chissano won the inaugural Ibrahim Prize last year.