The award’s gone unclaimed for five years because Sudanese philanthropist and telecoms billionaire Mo Ibrahim could not identify a deserving candidate.

Former liberation fighter Hifikepunya Pohamba succeeed Namibia’s independence president Sam Nujoma and served two terms.

He did not contest the poll last year where Hage Geingob was elected Namibia’s third president.

The Mo Ibrahim prize prize is worth $5m to Pohamba with a further $200 000 a year for life.

It was established in 2006 and Mozambican leader Joaquim Chissano was it’s first laureate.

Since then Botswana’s former president Festus Mogae and his counterpart from Cape Verde Pedro Pires are the only other winners.

Nelson Mandela was made an honorary laureate.

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