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As a way of creating more awareness among other first ladies in Africa, the Coalition of Ex-Presidents Wives has embarked on a tour across Africa to bring onboard more of their colleagues and create a bond that would hold them together in the fight against marginalization and neglect.
The coalition first visited Senegal where it was discovered that almost all ex-presidents and their families are spending their life time in Morocco for fear of being marginalized.
“All three former presidents of Senegal are in Morocco as a form of exile and that is not good for the country’s peace. Why it is that former presidents are not respected and taken care of by the state? Therefore, the formation of the coalition is important because it would help preach peace and ensure stability in Africa. Current leaders should stop the habit of bullying their predecessors,” said Fatmata Nippe Sow Momoh, wife of late President Joseph Saidu Momoh of Sierra Leone.
The Coalition is geared at recognizing the contributions of former Presidents wives, empowering women leaders, preserving the legacies of former Presidents’ Wives, foster collaboration, and inspires future generations of female leaders in public service.
These influential women are not only highlighting their own journeys, but are also setting a high standard of leadership for Africa’s future. Their vision for governance, grounded in peace and stability, is a rallying cry for action, urging current and future generations to strive toward a more unified and prosperous continent.
From Senegal, the team moved to The Gambia where they met with the wife of Dauda Jawara and then moved on to Abijan and later Nigeria.
Earlier, Mrs. Momoh had told the media that: “We the women are currently facing challenges and things are very difficult for us as former First Ladies. It is so embarrassing, confusing and stressful, so our plan is to travel to other countries, create the awareness and bring onboard other former wives of presidents to join the campaign. We are launching the initiative in Conakry, Guinea, to defend our rights by calling on current leaders to stop maltreating former first ladies. We are further trying to unite as first ladies because a lot of hopes have died.”
She reiterated that serving presidents should not use their position to have a revenge on their predecessors, but rather ensure that their rights are protected and their dignity maintained.
“We want to make it clear that enough is enough because all of us are suffering as we are not living a happy life. All of us are under serious depression,” she emphasized.
