The Congolese digital paper La Prospérité has written a profile of 2021 Amujae Leader Angèle Makombo, congratulating her on her selection for the second cohort of the Amujae Initiative, and highlighting how the program is working to increase the number of African women in high-level public leadership positions. 

Ms. Makombo is a Counselor of the Republic and a Member of the Environment and Natural Resources Commission at the Economic and Social Council of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Noting that the EJS Center was founded by former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in 2018 with the goal of championing women’s ascension to the highest levels of leadership, the article went on to describe the rigorous vetting that the 2021 Amujae Leaders went through prior to their selection, observing that out of hundreds of applicants, only 15 women were chosen.

La Prospérité noted that the meticulous selection process was reflected in the caliber of the 2021 Amujae Leaders, who include current and former government ministers, a governor, a member of parliament, senior government advisors, and activists engaged on critical issues ranging from refugee rights to gender equality and youth empowerment. The Amujae Leaders also represent Africa’s five diverse geographies, coming from 11 countries spanning North Africa, East Africa, Central Africa, West Africa, and Southern Africa.

La Prospérité also highlighted Ms. Makombo’s distinguished career as an international civil servant holding numerous high-level positions within the United Nations (UN), including Senior Political  Officer in charge of African issues in the office of Secretary-General Kofi Annan and Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

It added that Ms. Makombo’s commitment to serving her own country led to her resignation from the UN in 2011 and her subsequent return to the DRC, where she entered politics. Her dedication  to improving the lives of her constituents was exemplified when she was a candidate in the country’s presidential elections in 2011 and 2018. The article also mentioned that, for more than 15 years, Ms. Makombo served as Chairperson of a not-for-profit organization which provided funding and support to girls from low-income families in Kinshasa, capital of the DRC, to enable them to attend school.

Read the full article in La Prospérité here. (Note: Article is in French.)