Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – 09 March 2017: The Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), H.E. Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, sends her deepest condolences to the people of the Republic of Guinea following the untimely passing of Amb. Jeanne Martin Cisse. She passed away on Tuesday 21st February 2017, at the age of 91.

Amb. Jeanne Martin Cissé was one of the founders and first Secretary General of the Pan-African Women’s Organization (PAWO) from 1962 to 1972. PAWO is the first and oldest collective women’s organization established to “unite all African women’s organisations into a single platform to share good practices, promote human rights with a view to eliminating any forms of discrimination against women, support Africa’s liberation and to promote the full integration of African women in economic, social and political development of the Continent”.

Amb. Jeanne Martin Cissé was a legendary advocate of women’s rights and she will be remembered for pioneering the African gender agenda and for her many achievements in breaking the glass ceyling, among others, as one of Guinea’s first female teachers in Guinea, first woman Vice-President of the National Assembly of Guinea and first woman to chair the United Nations Security Council.

Amb. Jeanne Martin Cissé’s family, country, continent and PAWO sisters have lost a women of great stature. She will remain one of the symbols of African women’s contribution to freedom, equality, justice and empowerment.

Condolences to guinea and PAWO. May her soul rest in peace.