WHAT: Fireside Conversation with Africa Female Presidents
WHEN: 13th February 2026
TIME: 03:00 PM - 04:30 PM
WHERE: Skylight Hotel, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
WHO: AU Office of the Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security (OSE-WPS), UN Women, The Government of the Republic of Namibia, Pan-African Women’s Organization (PAWO), and African Women Leaders Network (AWLN)
WHY: The high-level Fireside event will provide a strategic platform to spotlight the leadership journeys of Africa’s female Presidents; assess progress and persistent gaps in implementing UNSCR 1325; and elevates the WPS-climate-water-security nexus within continental priorities.
The two Presidents that will be at Fireside Chat:
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H.E Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwa, President of Namibia
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H.E Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Former President of Liberia and first elected Africa Female President
Moderators: Ms. Sima Sami Bahous, UN Under-Secretary-General and UN Women Executive Director and Ambassador Liberata Mulamula, African Union (AU) Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security (WPS).
Key Participants:
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AU Deputy Chairperson and AU Commissioners
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H.E. Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania
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Heads of State – Champions of Positive Masculinity and Gender, Youth, Peace and Security
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H.E. João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola
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H.E. Évariste Ndayishimiye, President of the Republic of Burundi
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H.E. Azali Assoumani, President of the Union of the Comoros (AU Chairperson, 2023)
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H.E. Félix Antoine Tshisekedi, President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
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H.E. John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana, African Union Champion for Gender and Development Issues
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H.E. Bassirou Diomaye Faye, President of the Republic of Senegal (Senegal previously hosted the AU Circle of Champions on Positive Masculinity Conference in 2022 under the leadership of H.E. Macky Sall)
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H.E. Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa
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African Female Heads of State and Government (current and former)
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UN Agencies
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Youth leaders, and young women peacebuilders CSOs, women’s movements, feminist networks, AWLN chapters Development partners and diplomatic community Media and communication partners
Expected outcomes:
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A joint political appeal from female Presidents reaffirming commitment to accelerate women’s leadership and implementation of the WPS agenda
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Strengthened advocacy for ratification and implementation of AU-CEVAWG, and reinforcement of accountability mechanisms under the WPS agenda
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A set of recommendations for the AU Summit on advancing inclusive governance and accelerating women’s participation
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Inspiration and mentorship impact for young women leaders and peacebuilders attending the session.
Media Access:
Accredited members of the media are invited to cover the opening session and key highlights of the event.
Media Contact:
Noel John | Communication Officer | Information and Communication Directorate | African Union Commission | Email: Kenyin@africanunion.org
