Who is Africa’s first female president? So far, Africa has had how many female presidents? This is one of many untold amazing African women’s stories. In reality, we regularly hear a negative narrative that shows African women’s suffering rather than their achievement.
This post on African Women Heads of State strives to explain the other side of their story even while inspiring current and future generations of African women to be greater than those who came before them.
Top 10 Female Presidents In Africa
As of 2019, these are the women presidents in Africa.
9. Sahle-Work Zewde, Ethiopia (October 2018 until the present)
Ethiopia’s 1st feminine president is Sahle-Work Zewde and one of all Africa’s fifty-four presidents. She was unanimously elected by members of the National Parliamentary Assembly on Gregorian calendar month Oct 25, 2018, and assumed workplace on Gregorian calendar month Oct 25, 2018.
Before she was elected President, she served as Special Representative of the world organization Secretary to the African Union, and also the Head of the world organization workplace to the African Union.
READ ALSO: TOP 10 LONGEST SERVING PRESIDENTS IN AFRICA
8. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, President of Mauritius from June 2015 to March 2018
From 2015 to 2018, Ameenah Gurib-Fakim served as the country’s first female president. In 2014, following the departure of then-President Kailash Purryag, she was chosen as a Presidential contender. The National Assembly officially chose her to be President.
7. Catherine Samba, Acting President of the Central African Republic (Jan 2014 – Mar 2016)
Catherine Samba Panza served as the Central African Republic’s Acting President. When rebel leader Michael Djotodia resigned from his self-appointed presidency, she became interim President.
Before she took on this role, she was the mayor of the capital city Bangui from 2013 to 2014.
6. Joyce Hilda Banda, President of Malawi (Apr 2012 – May 2014)
Following the death of President Bingu Mutharika, Joyce Hilda Banda was elected President of Malawi April 7, 2012 – May 31, 2014. Joyce Hilda Banda was the country’s fourth President and she was also the first female Vice President of the United States (May 2009 – Apr 2012). President Banda was named the world’s 40th most influential woman and Africa’s most powerful woman in 2014.
5. Agnes Monique Ohsan Bellepeau, Acting President of Mauritius (Mar – Jul 2012 and May – Jun 2015)
Agnes Monique Ohsan Bellepeau was the Acting President of Mauritius from Mar 31, 2012, to Jul 21, 2012. Agnes Monique Ohsan Bellepeau served as Acting President of Mauritius. Between the withdrawal of outgoing President Anerood Jugnauth and the appointment of new President Kailash Purryag, the country went through a time of transition. She served as Acting President from May 29 2015 to Jun 5, 2015, between the departure of Purryag and the presentation of the new President, Ameenah Garib.
4. Rose Francine Rogombe, Acting President of Gabon (Jun 2009 – Oct 2009)
Following the death of President Omar Bongo, from June to Oct 2009, Rose Francine Rogombe was the acting president of Gabon. Because she was the first in line for presidential succession, She immediately became the Head of State.
3. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of Liberia (Jan 2006 – Jan 2018)
After winning the 2005 and 2011 Presidential elections, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is the first female African President to be elected serving two terms in a row. She ran for President in 1997 but lost to Charles Taylor. She was also elected Chair of the Economic Community of West African States in June 2016 during her term.
2. Ivy Matsepe-Cassaburi, South Africa’s Acting President (September 2005)
When the President and his Vice President were out of the country for four days in September 2005, Ivy Matsepe-Cassaburi became the acting President of South Africa. Ivy Matsepe-Cassaburi was also chosen by the government to act as the federal constitution and official leader of the country for a 14-hour temporary term on Sept 25, 2008. This was the time, between the resignation of outgoing President Thabo Mbeki and the election of Kgalema Motlanthe.
1. Sylvie Kiningi, Acting President of Burundi from February to October 1993
She was Africa’s first female president and her country. From Feb 10, 1993, to Oct 7, 1994, she was Prime Minister of Burundi. Sylvie Kiningi was the country’s acting President from Oct 27 1993 to Feb 5, 1994, after outgoing President Ndadaye Melchior and six of his officials were killed in a shooting. Kiningi collected 15 ministers to continue to manage the country after his death. As a result, she became the continent’s first female president.
Conclusion
These women from Africa, many female giants, known and unknown, remembered and forgotten, have walked before them, and their heads of state stand on their shoulders.
The Dahomey Amazons of Benin, for example, are an all-female military regiment whose shoulders are carried by many women participating in the armed forces and law enforcement.
Women have unquestionably contributed to the development of Africa. The recovery from the traumatic and horrific colonization and the slave trade, on the other hand, has been gradual. African leaders, largely men, who mishandled, misused, and continue to abuse their authority since the end of colonialism share some of the guilt for disempowering African women, whose contribution is unquestionably needed to achieve a more wealthy, just, and peaceful Africa.
FAQ
How many female presidents are in Africa?
There are nine female presidents in Africa out of which some of them have finished their terms while others are still the sitting presidents.
Who is the second female president in Africa
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the former president of Liberia is the second female president in Africa.
