LIBERIA: Former VP Howard-Taylor nominated Executive Secretary to Continental Women Body

Former Vice President and First Lady of Liberia Chief Dr. Jewel Howard-Taylor, has been nominated as Executive Secretary of the African First Ladies Peace Mission (AFLPM –MIPREDA).

Dr. Howard-Taylor was nominated by the Advisory Council (HAC) at the end of the Emergency Meeting of the African First Ladies Peace Mission (AFLPM –MIPREDA) on February 1, 2024 through virtual (Zoom technology).

The meeting was intended to discuss the appointment of a Vice President and other related issues on the future of the Organization based on the provisions of Article 17 (4) of the Charter of the African First Ladies Peace Mission.

The Liberian stateswoman will assume office under the new nomenclature of Secretary-General of the African First Ladies Peace Mission.

The emergency Assembly meeting was attended by The emergency Assembly meeting was attended by H.E Dr. Mrs. Aisha Muhammadu Buhari (Chairperson),
H.E Joyce Banda, Former President of Malawi, H.E Chief Dr. Jewel Howard-Taylor, Former Vice President of the Republic of Liberia, H.E Aminata Maïga Keïta,
Former First Lady of the Republic of Mali, Mrs. Hinda Deby Itno, Former First Lady of the Republic of Chad, H.E Mme. Fatima Vila Nova, First Lady of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, H.E Mrs. Débora Katisa Carvalho, First Lady of the Republic of Cabo Verde and the Host of the AFLPM MIPREDA Secretariat, the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria H.E. Senator Mrs. Remi Bola Tinubu represented by her Senior Special Assistant Administration.

Former VP Howard Taylor’s nomination was an outcome of the observations and resolutions from the meeting.

The emergency Assembly observed: the lack of leadership since 8th May 2023 by the President of AFLPM, MIPREDA and the Vice-President, no action taken by the President since the Niger Republic crisis on 27th July 2023 to date, the failure of the President to adhere to the provisions of 21 (a – f) has caused a minor setback for the Organization, the President has not positioned and strengthened the Organisation during then eight (8) months of her leadership, the President lack of leadership has hindered the functioning of the Secretariat operations, effective communication and decision making of the organization between the leadership and members, the President failure to attend the Emergency meeting to appoint a Vice President and did not send a representative.

The emergency meeting also notes that, the President lack of leadership was not the intention of the Assembly when she was nominated for the Presidency and resolved that: The President should be removed to enable the Organisation nominate a new President and Vice President; Executive Secretary be appoint to lead the Secretariat, hence, it was based on this background that the former Liberian Vice President was elected.

Members also nominated the following: H.E Mrs. Fatoumatta Bah Barrow, First Lady of the Republic of The Gambia, as President of AFLPM-MIPREDA and H.E Mme Fatima Vila Nova, First Lady of the Democratic Republic of Soa Tome and Principe as Vice President of AFLPM-MIPREDA.

Meanwhile, with this new leadership in place, the Assembly is confident that a new dawn has emerged for AFLPMMIPREDA.

The Assembly concluded the meeting by asserting that, the urgency of peacebuilding cannot be overstated and AFLPM-MIPREDA is committed to working assiduously toward the Mission, Vision and Strategic objective of the Organization for the promotion of peace, stability and development in Africa.