Bono honoured for Africa campaign

Bono has also received an honorary knighthood for his charity work

Rock singer and campaigner Bono is to be honoured in the US to mark his work to relieve suffering in Africa.

The Liberty Medal is awarded by the US National Constitution Center for those who have "demonstrated leadership and vision in the pursuit of liberty".

The $100,000 (£50,300) prize will be donated to the Debt Aids Trade Africa charity Bono founded in 2002. He will be given the medal in September.

Six recipients of the medal have gone on to win the Nobel Peace Prize.

Major campaign

Though Bono holds no elected office, he proves that "the office of citizen is the most important in the world," Constitution Center president Joseph Torsella said.

Bono did not attend the announcement, but said in a statement that Philadelphia, where the centre is based, is where Data and other groups launched the One campaign, in which 2.4 million Americans have pledged to help eradicate Aida and poverty worldwide.

"I don't suppose there are enough Liberty Medals to go around, but in truth, those people should all be wearing one, too," he said.

The National Constitution Center describes itself as an independent organisation dedicated to increasing public understanding of, and appreciation for, the US constitution, its history, and its contemporary relevance.