In an interview with FRANCE 24, renowned Sudanese-British billionaire and philanthropist Mo Ibrahim voiced deep concern over what he described as a steady decline in the quality of leadership across the African continent. Ibrahim, who founded the Mo Ibrahim Foundation—an organization dedicated to promoting good governance and ethical leadership in Africa—highlighted that his foundation has not awarded its prestigious Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership for the past five years. The reason, he explained, is not a lack of candidates, but rather the absence of leaders who meet the foundation’s high standards for integrity, democratic values, and effective governance.
Reflecting on the broader political landscape, Ibrahim lamented that the global rise of authoritarian tendencies is undermining democratic progress. “We have unfortunately too many conflicts, too many strongmen,” he said, warning that “strongmen are back in fashion—not only in Africa but everywhere now.” His remarks underscored a troubling global trend where populist or authoritarian leaders are gaining influence, often at the expense of transparency, accountability, and human rights.
Turning his attention to his home country, Sudan, Ibrahim described the ongoing conflict there as “the worst tragedy today in the world.” He emphasized the scale of the humanitarian crisis, noting that millions have been displaced and that ordinary Sudanese citizens are bearing the brunt of a war fueled by power struggles between rival military factions. His comments served as both a plea for international attention and a reminder of the urgent need for genuine, principled leadership to guide African nations—and the world—toward peace, stability, and prosperity.