Our History – AFLPM

AFLPM - Our History

The African First Ladies Peace Mission, established to promote peace and harmony in Africa, came into being in 1995 after the Beijing Conference on women in Beijing, China. The initiative was taken by the First Ladies of Nigeria, Gambia, Benin, Uganda, Lesotho and Burundi to undertake a mission of peace to the rest of Africa. Following series of activities at regional levels, the Formal Declaration of the African First Ladies Peace Mission was made in Harare, Zimbabwe during the OAU Summit in 1996. This initiative led to the establishment of the African First Ladies Peace Mission (AFLPM) by the then Nigerian First Lady, Mrs. Maryam Sani Abacha. It was agreed at the Congo Summit in 2008 that Nigeria should provide a permanent secretariat for the African First Ladies Peace Mission. The primary purpose of the mission is to address the peace situation in the continent, with regard to the role of women, and mobilize both government and non-government resources to help reduce violent conflict and their effects in Africa.

Following a series of activities at regional levels, the Formal Declaration of the African First Ladies Peace Mission was made in Harare, Zimbabwe during the OAU Summit in 1996. This initiative led to the establishment of the African First Ladies Peace Mission (AFLPM). Nigeria hosted the first AFLPM summit and was elected the pioneer president of the Mission.

Apart from Mrs. Maryam Sani Abacha who was the first President on behalf of Nigeria, other countries that have produced the president of the African First Ladies Peace Mission are the Republic of the Congo (2000); Equatorial Guinea (2002); Burkina Faso (2004); Democratic Republic of the Congo (2006) and Nigeria (2008 to date).

The main objective of the Mission is to address the peace situation on the African continent with regard to the role of women, and mobilize both government and non-government resources to help reduce violent conflict and their effects in Africa. AFLPM helps to build and strengthen the culture of peace and development in Africa, while offering support and service to victims in conflict affected countries, especially, among women and children.

Even the most hard-nosed cynic will concede that these, unquestionably, are noble objectives, especially when we juxtapose them with the reality of various wars and violent conflicts that plague our continent. The conflicts do not only impinge upon the development of our people, but also leaves a litany of pain, anguish and suffering, especially amongst the most vulnerable demographic groups, which are the women, children and the elderly.

The first ladies, who are members of the Executive Bureau of the AFLPM, include Mrs Nompumelelo Zuma, the Vice President, Southern Africa region and Hajiya Wahad Omer, the Vice President of Eastern Africa region.

Others are Mrs Chantal Biya, the Vice President, Central Africa region and Mrs Antoinette N’Guesso of Cameroun.

The need for peace on our continent calls for concerted efforts at all levels, including international, regional, national and communal to redress and reverse the scourge of violent conflicts.

We believe first ladies are the agents of change. Since the role of the first lady is not defined by any Constitution in Africa, and around the globe it often comes without regulations or rules. It is a job no woman applies for but is instead required to take. The job carries with it a powerful voice that often reaches beyond political lines

CHRONICLE OF LEADERSHIP IN AFLPM-MIPREDA FROM INCEPTION

1996

1st President

Her Excellency, Mrs Maryam Sani Abacha, Then First Lady of Nigeria

1998

2nd President

Her Excellency, Justice (Mrs.) Fati Lami Abubakar, Then First Lady of Nigeria

1999

3rd President

Her Excellency, Madame Edith Lucie Bongo Ondimba, Then First Lady of Gabon

2001

4rd President

Her Excellency, Mrs Constancia Mangue de Obiang, Then First Lady of Equatorial Guinea

2003

5th President

Her Excellency, Mrs Chantal Compaoré, Then First lady of Burkina Faso

2005

6th President

Her Excellency, Mrs Antoinette Sassou Nguesso, First Lady of Republic of The Congo

2008

7th President

Her Excellency, Hajiya Turai Umar Musa Yar’ Adua Then First First Lady of Nigeria

2012

8th President

Her Excellency, Dame Patience Faka Jonathan, Then First Lady of Nigeria

2015

9th President

Her Excellency, Mrs Aisha Muhammadu Buhari, Then First Lady of Nigeria

2023

President of AFLPM-MIPREDA

Her Excellency, Mrs. Angeline Ndayishimiye, First Lady of Burundi

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