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The First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone HE Dr. Fatima Maada Bio has agreed to host five Former First Ladies on the 28th November 2024.
The five are part of the eighty four who are members of the former Presidentsโ Wives Coalition. The approval to host these women was given on Monday, 18th November, 2024 when Madam Fatmata Momoh of the Former Presidentsโ Wives Coalition met with the First Lady, and briefed her about the formation of the coalition.
The five are Madam Dr Simone Ehivet Gbagbo of Cote D’Ivoire, Lady Chile Jawara, the wife to former of The Gambia Dr. Sir Dauda Kaibara Jawara, Madam Chantal Yayi of the Republic of Benin, Madam Lobo Traore’ wife of Former President of Mali Amadu Toumani Traore’ and Madam Fatmata Nippe Sow Momoh wife to the Former President of Sierra Leone Maj. Gen. Joseph Saidu Momoh.
The approval to host these women by Dr. Fatima Bio is a clear indication of her readiness to support the Former Presidentsโ Wives Coalition. They will also meet with President Dr. Julius Maada Bio.
The discussions with the first lady focused on the activities of the coalition but also on effective strategies for achieving the objectives as well as support for the Wives of Former Presidents.
According to Madam Momoh, this initiative was started by 91- year-old Madam Andre’ Toure’, the wife of the Former President of Guinea, Ahmed Sekou Toure, together with two other former President Wivesโ Madam Elizabeth Vierra of Guinea-Bissau and Madam Fatmata Momoh of Sierra Leone. She noted that Madam Andre’ Toure is the face of this organisation as she conceived the idea some eight years ago.
The coalition emerged as a result of the systemic neglect and challenges Madam Andre’ Toure encountered after her late husband died some 40 years ago. She explained that she suffered a lot of humiliation, embarrassment and she was deprived of her lawful pension and properties and etc.
Mrs. Fatmata Momoh told the First Lady that nearly all the former past presidentsโ wives shared the same ordeal Madam Andre’ Toure’ went through like the former First Lady of The Gambia Lady Chile Jawara.
She revealed that Madam Andre’ Toure’ and Lady Chile Jawara were rescued by the current Presidents of Guinea and The Gambia by restoring their dignity and returning the properties of their late husbands by Junta Leader. Col. Mamadou Dumbuya of Guinea and President Adama Barrow of The Gambia.
Mrs Momoh told Dr. Fatima Bio that their vision to establish the Coalition of Ex โPresidentsโs Wives who are going through humiliation, is to put an end to the humiliation, noting that their dream is now coming to reality. She said their organisation is a strategic and diplomatic initiative designed to address the systemic neglect and marginalization faced by the wives of Former Presidents after their husbands left office or passed away.
She said despite their significant roles in national affairs, these women often find themselves without institutional support, financial, security or social recognition.
The organisation is committed to reversing this trend by building a platform that ensures the continued dignity, legacy and stability in African nations.
Responding, Dr Fatima Maada Bio was shocked to learn that, this is the way and manner they treat Former Presidents and their spouses after their tenure had ended. She thanked Madam Fatmata Momoh for all what they have done to maintain the coalition to stand the test of time.
