Leadership and the Nobel Peace Prize: the Case of President Obama

by Nadia Ahmadou. She is a Junior Researcher at the Institute for Security Studies in South Africa

The recent  granting of the Nobel peace prize to American President Barack Obama was followed by significant brouhaha over whether he was deserving of such a distinction; after all he had not proven himself to be deserving of such  honorable merit. Comparison was made with scientists who spend years toiling over ideas without any results not being accorded a similar honor; and the arguments have continued on, all arriving to the one conclusion that no substantive achievement can be tied to the granting of this award-an award considered premature in nature. Focusing this down to the continent of Africa, especially taking into consideration President Obama’s clearly identifiable African heritage, these arguments expose a number of questions and gaps present within this specific prize-giving culture as it relates to African leadership.

When looking at the awardees on the African continent, it appears that we have succeeded in being the shining stars of the wider political sphere in which we have been the recipient of most of the awards. Here I cite significant figures such as Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu and Wangari M. Maathai who were all congratulated for contributions to peace, democracy and sustainable development. When we sift through the politically acceptable rhetoric of peace, democracy and all this wonderful terminology that characterizes the politics of our continent, it all boils down to one word: HOPE. These individuals were successful in instilling HOPE in the people of the continent towards the development of a vision for a better, peaceful and more prosperous Africa. No brouhaha was made over the awarding of the prize to these prestigious individuals who rather, were applauded and benefit from global respect as a result. I do not for one second claim that these individuals did not do more beyond instilling hope, but simply make the claim that at the basis of their previous and subsequent achievements lies the simple fact that they contributed to birth of a general feeling of hope and belief in better futures; a feeling that forms the foundation of concrete steps taken afterwards for change.

Why then is it so hard to recognize this when it comes to President Obama? It is true that he has yet to prove himself with regard to numerous promises made to the world regarding nuclear issues and related peaceful activities. However, one cannot and should not underestimate the power behind the simple emergence of this individual as President of the most powerful state in the world. During and after his campaign, President Obama served as inspiration for millions of previously disadvantaged people who had lost belief in the power they could exert as individuals to not only change their own lives but to change the lives of others as well. In a continent plagued with strife, poverty and disease, one must not underestimate the power that faith and belief can have on instituting change. In fact without belief in change, change rarely occurs. In the same vein, Mandela and Tutu served and continue to serve as beacons of hope for change in an otherwise bland sphere, characterized by rotten politicians who put themselves before their people.

It is obvious that the awarders of the Nobel Peace Prize should have allowed for President Obama to prove himself before awarding him with the Nobel Peace Prize. They could further benefit from identifying specific criteria to use in identifying credible candidates for the Peace Prize. However, this lacuna should not qualify as an excuse to undermine the power of change he has contributed to instilling in millions of people across the world. The euphoria for change that overtook myriads of Africans watching and listening to his opening speech should not get lost in this debate over whether or not he is deserving of this prestigious award. Leadership is not the special skill of a select few. It can be found in the most ordinary of people and witnessed in their everyday lives. For notable figures such as Mandela, Tutu and Obama it is also reflected in their ability to contribute to encouraging the development of similar leadership skills within us, the ordinary people watching them on our television screens, listening to them over our radios, and reading about them in our newspapers. Africa, and the world would do well to remember this and in the words of the man himself…YES WE CAN!