The United States congratulates Pedro de Verona Rodrigues Pires, the former president of Cape Verde, upon being awarded the Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership. This prize recognizes President Pires’ notable achievements in strengthening democracy, good governance, and economic development, making Cape Verde a model for other West African nations searching for an enduring democratic way forward. Specifically, the award cited Pires's influence in assuring Cape Verde’s successful transition in the early 1990s from one-party to multi-party governance.