NAIROBI, Kenya — It's the biggest cash prize available to former leaders of African countries. And no one was worthy this year, again.

The Mo Ibrahim Foundation announced Monday that it will not award its $5 million prize that recognizes democratically elected African leaders who excel in office and — critically — leave when they are supposed to.

The prize committee said it reviewed "a number" of eligible candidates but decided that none met the award criteria. A statement from the group did not reveal who was considered.

The cash prize has been awarded three times in its six-year history. Former Cape Verde President Pedro Verona Pires won last year. In 2008 Festus Mogae of Botswana won; In 2007 Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique won.

No award was given in 2009 and 2010.