Niger: Why It's a Big Surprise That the African Leadership Prize Went to Niger's Issoufou

[The Conversation Africa] The president of Niger, Mahamadou Issoufou, has been awarded the 2020 Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership. The annual prize is granted by the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, named after the Sudanese billionaire businessman and philanthropist who founded it. The prize - which includes a US$5 million award - aims to showcase exceptional role models from the continent and "recognise leaders who have strengthened democracy and human rights for the shared benefit of their people".