On August 5, 2024, The African First Ladies Peace Mission and the Mediation Training Institute signed a Memorandum of Understanding to form a partnership to promote peace and harmonious coexistence across Africa through professional training and certification of women leaders in various African communities.
In her virtual welcome remarks, H.E Mrs. Fatima Vila Nova, First Lady of the Republic of SÃĢo TomÃĐ and PrÃncipe and Vice President of AFLPM-MIPREDA emphasized that peace is an achievable goal through cooperative and collective actions.
In her official statement, the First Lady of the Republic of The Gambia and President of AFLPM-MIPREDA, H.E Fatoumatta Bah Barrow highlighted the crucial role of women in mediation and peacebuilding, noting that inclusive participation leads to more effective peaceful outcomes. Her Excellencyâs statement was read by AFLPMâs Head of Communication and Visibility Ms. Jerrilyn Mulbah
The Former President of the Republic of Malawi and AFLPMâs Honorary Advisory Council Member H.E Madam Joyce Banda encouraged women leaders to take advantage of the training through the partnership to elevate and reclaim African womenâs role in ensuring a peaceful and development-oriented Africa.
The Secretary-General of AFLPM-MIPREDA Dr. Jewel HowardâTaylor stressed the need for increased peacebuilding initiatives and collaboration with peacebuilding organisations to train and transform mindsets for peaceful coexistence at all levels across Africa.
MTIâs President Amb. Segun Ogunyanwo expressed optimism about the partnershipâs potential to promote harmony throughout Africa.
The signing ceremony had in attendance past and present officials of government, civil society organizations, and Regional and International representatives from UNDP, ECOFEPA, NOPSWECO, ICMC, SPSP, Africa Advancement Forum, Africa Women Impact Summit, National Youth Impact Summit, etc. Each speaker commended the partnership and expressed their willingness to support AFLPM-MIPREDA and MTI- Nigeria to ensure lasting peace and peacebuilding initiatives across Africa.
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the Secretary General H.E Dr. Jewel Howard Taylor a former First Lady of Liberia and the immediate Former Vice President of Liberia and witnessed by the Chief of Operations and Administration Dr. Bakut T. Bakut on behalf of the African First Ladies Peace Mission.