AYV News, April 10, 2025
Her Excellency Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, in her first official engagement as President of the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD), held a high-level meeting with His Excellency Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. She was accompanied by OAFLAD Vice President, Her Excellency Mrs. Ana Dias Lourenço, First Lady of Angola.
The OAFLAD delegation was warmly welcomed by the AU Chairperson and his team. In his opening remarks, Chairperson Youssouf commended OAFLAD’s critical role in championing continental priorities, highlighting the organisation’s alignment with AU treaties, conventions, and the Agenda 2063 development framework. He applauded OAFLAD’s strategic interventions, particularly in combating harmful practices, promoting education, and addressing the needs of women and girls.
Referring to the newly adopted OAFLAD Strategic Framework 2025–2030, the Chairperson praised it as a practical and results-oriented roadmap capable of strengthening AU-OAFLAD collaboration. “My doors are always open to OAFLAD,” he affirmed. “We share a collective duty to serve our dear continent.”
In response, Dr. Fatima Maada Bio extended heartfelt congratulations to Chairperson Youssouf on his recent election and expressed gratitude for the African Union’s continued support of OAFLAD. She called for deeper collaboration between the two institutions, emphasizing the urgent need for united action on issues affecting African women and children—particularly in health, education, economic empowerment, and the fight against gender-based violence.
Dr. Bio further underscored the relevance of cross-cutting concerns such as climate change, peace, and human security, noting their profound impact on women and children. She passionately appealed for the increased inclusion of African First Ladies in continental policymaking forums, stressing that their voices are essential in advancing peace, justice, and sustainable development.
“We believe that the inclusion of African First Ladies in high-level policy discussions is essential for promoting peace, justice, and sustainable development,” she stated, urging the Chairperson to personally adopt OAFLAD as a key strategic partner.
Dr. Bio also lauded the Chairperson’s impactful address at the last AU Summit and took the opportunity to introduce her team from the OAFLAD Secretariat, along with ambassadors representing Sierra Leone and Angola.
In a lighthearted and appreciative tone, Chairperson Youssouf concluded the meeting by acknowledging the immense contributions of African First Ladies: “The First Ladies are our bosses,” he joked, recognizing their collective leadership and advocacy. He assured Dr. Bio that her recommendations would be treated with priority, pledging that his team would work to turn them into concrete actions.
The historic meeting closed with a group photo session—marking the beginning of a reinvigorated partnership between OAFLAD and the African Union, under the dynamic leadership of Dr. Fatima Maada Bio.
