The Africa leadership index is a tool for governance-tracking
of African leaders developed by nation media group’s Africa project led by
Lynette Mukami. We bring you their ranking of African leaders by governance
last year, beginning with the best and running down to the worst.
1.
NavichandraRamgoolam: Mauritius.
Ramgoolam has been the prime minister of the republic of Mauritius since July 5th,
2005. Ramgoolam is the son of Sir Seewoosgur Ramgoolam known as the “father of
the nation” served as prime minister from 1995-2000 before losing at the polls.
Mauritius was the only African country to be categorized as a “true democracy”
in the economic intelligence unit (EIU) democracy index. It is also the toped
ranked country in the mo Ibrahim index. It scored favorably in the corruption
and human development indices. The ministry of information and communication
technology admitted that cyber crime was rapidly becoming a problem. Apart from
topping Africa in most indices for 2012, according to the UN happiness report
2012 conducted by Colombia university earth institute in the USA, Mauritians were the happiest people in Africa.
The index was based on citizens perception of overall service delivery using
indicators such as employment, equality, education, health, anti corruption, environment
& culture.
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| Navichandra Ramgoolam |
2.
SeretseIan Khama: Botswana. A former army commander and son of Botswana first
president Ian Khama has been president of the republic of Botswana since April
1, 2009. He started out as minister of presidential affairs and public
administration to vice president (1999), when president Festus Mogae resigned
in 2008, Khama succeeded to the presidency, he was elected to full term in
2009. The world’s leading diamond producer De Beers began diamond rough sorting
in Botswana, a move that is expected to transform the country into a leading
international centre. It was reported in 2012 that Botswana attracted
approximately $13.5 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) between 2003 and
2011 placing it among the top 15 destinations of foreign capital, according to
data in an Ernist & Young survey. Botswana refused to join other southern African
development community (SADC) member countries push for a single tourist visa (UNIVISA)
a move seen as a setback. Botswana also imposed a ban on consumption of alcohol
outside the confines of bar’s ahead of the December festive season.
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| Seretse Ian Khama |
3.
Jorge Carlos Fonseca: Cape Verde.
Carlos Fonseca has been president of the republic of Cape Verde, since September
9, 2011. A lawyer and university professor who served as minister of foreign affairs
(1991-1993). He stood unsuccessfully as presidential candidate in the 2001
elections. He was successful in august 2011 backed by main opposition movement
for democracy party. The archipelago qualified for the Africa cup of nations (AFCON)
for the very first time in October 2012 after surprisingly beating out Cameroon
3-2 in the final round qualifier which marked the entry of the smallest country
ever to take part in the cup championship. Cape Verde came second in Africa in
both the global press freedom index and the democracy index. During the 2012
international breast feeding week, up to 200 lactating Cape Verdean women
donated breast milk to feed up to 152 infants.
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| Jorge Carlos Fonseca |
4. James Alix Michel: Seychelles. A
former teacher and army colonel, Michel has been president of the republic of Seychelles,
since April 14, 2004. He served alongside former president France-Albert Rene
after he came to power in a bloodless coup in 1997 that secured the islands
independence. The island came in 4th out of 52 countries in the mo Ibrahim
index of African governance. Piracy has been a big headache for Michel this
year. Ti is estimated to have cost the nation $17 million, but that doesn’t include
added cost of patrols within its territorial waters. Fisheries are a major
sector and employer in the Seychelles.
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| James Alix Michel |
5. Hifikepunye Lucas Pohamba: Namibia. A
former political prisoner and activist, Pohamba was also lands minister who
speeded up one Namibia’s most difficult schemes- the expropriation of land from
white farmers to give to black citizens. Namibia’s marine resources act of 200
won the 2012 future policy award silver during a ceremony held in New York on September
26, 2012. The law regulates all marine capture, setting restrictions for the
fishing gear, the times & depth of fishing and even places catch limits for
eight main commercial species.
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| Hifikepunye Lucas Pohamba |
6. John Dramani Mahama: Ghana. A communications expert,
historian and writer, Mahama has been president of the republic of Ghana, since
July 24, 2012 following the death of John Atta Mills. Ghana’s opposition new
patriotic party (NPP) contested the election results saying that it has
concrete evidence that its candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo, won the election. It also
alleged systematic stealing of votes at collation level. The case is still in
court and may take several years to conclude.
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| John Dramani Mahama |
7. Jacob Gedleyihlekis Zuma: South Africa. A shrewd political
operator and sterling intelligence officer for the African National Congress (ANC)
during the struggle. Zuma has been president of the republic of South Africa since
May 9, 2009. Despite having a controversial term in office and vocal opposition
from expelled ANC youth leader Julius Malema, Zuma still managed to survive the
ANC vote and remain at the helm of the party. At least 34 striking miners were killed
in the violence at Lonmin Platinum mines in august. It received its share of
press time being labeled “The Marikana Incident”. Bret Murray, a painter
unveiled a painting titled ”The Spear” depicting president Zuma with his
genitals hanging out.
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| Jacob Gedleyihlekis Zuma |
8. Moncef Marzouki: Tunisia. Founder
of the centre for community medicine in Sousse and the African network for
prevention of child abuse. Marzouki has been the president of the republic of Tunisia
since December 13, 20011. Where he was elected interim president of Tunisia by
the constituent assembly. President Marzouki was named among the world’s top
thinkers by foreign policy magazine 2012 coming in 2nd. Protestors
in December hurled rocks at president Marzouki and parliamentary speaker Mustapha
Ben Jaafar in Sidi Bouzid, 2012 was marred by a number of protests and a series
of attacks by radical Islamists.
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| Moncef Marzouki |
9. Jakaya Kikwete: Tanzania. Former
intelligence chief who turned to politics serving as Tanzania’s foreign minister
from 1995-2005, when he won the presidency as candidate of the long ruling
Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM). He also played a last minute but critical role in
helping Kenya return to peace after the 2008 post-election violence by
mediating between competing factions. Hopes that Tanzania could become a giant
gas producer where fueled by the discovery of 8 trillion cubic feet of offshore
gas fields in Songo Songo, Mnazi Bay, Mkuranga Kisiwani North and Ntorya areas.
According to transparency international survey, Tanzania transport authorities
took the highest amount in bribes within the east African bloc with the figure
at $12,640 greatly hampering movement of goods and interregional trade.
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| Jakaya Kikwete |
Michael Chilufya Sata : Zambia. Popularly known as “THE
KING COBRA”, was a key opposition leader.
In
Zambia for 10 years. He leads the Patriotic Front (PF) and is known for his
populist ideas. He is also well known as former governor of the capital Lusaka.
He is described as being a very “hands-on” man: cleaning streets, patching
roads and building bridges in the city. Zambia launched its first $750 million
bond issue at Deutsch Banks fixed income trading floor on Wall Street in New York
on September 13, 2012. According to finance minister Alexander Chikwanda, the
bond attracted a $12 billion subscription from investors and was 24 times
oversubscribed. 2012 was a good year for Zambian football. The country’s team
Chipolopolo (Meaning Copper Bullets) scooped the 2012 CAF GLO team of the year
award. At the award ceremony their trainer Herve Renard also received the coach
of the year prize. The opposition accused president Sata of “Dictatorship”;
with the opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema claiming that Zambians were
suffering during his rule, as they suffered under his predecessor Rupiah Banda.
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| AFCON champions 2012 |
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| Michael Chilufya Sata |
