Catherine Samba-Panza

Overview

Catherine Samba-Panza born Fort Lamy, N’Djamena, Chad June 26, 1954. “Mother Courage.” Lawyer and human rights advocate; Mayor of Bangui, 2013-14. First woman president of Central African Republic, 2014; elected in midst of civil war as peacemaker.

Quotations

“We all felt that the people wanted a break. They wanted an end to the political man. I felt that. At the very heart of the people, I felt this desire to elect a woman who could bring peace and reconciliation.” (Women in and Beyond the Global, Jan. 21, 2014; photo liberation.fr)