AMINA MOHAMMED URGES AFRICA TO DRAW LESSONS FROM EARLIER LEADERS

United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed has urged African leaders to study the experiences of past leaders and draw useful lessons from their successes and failures as the continent works to address its development challenges. Mohammed stressed the importance of purposeful leadership, courage and accountability in building stronger African societies.

The UN official said African leaders must focus on leaving meaningful improvements behind rather than being driven primarily by recognition or personal legacy. She emphasised that leadership should be measured by its impact on people and the environment, urging those in positions of authority to ensure that their decisions produce tangible benefits for citizens.

Mohammed also highlighted the importance of collaboration and strong institutions in tackling the problems facing African countries. According to her, leaders and citizens need to work together, while African nations should make better use of their own resources and experiences instead of relying excessively on external assistance to solve challenges within the continent.

She further encouraged African women and emerging leaders to remain committed to public service and to lead with conviction. Her comments come amid continuing calls for stronger, more accountable leadership across Africa, particularly as the continent deals with economic pressures, conflicts, unemployment and other development challenges.

Mohammed maintained that effective leadership should ultimately be about improving the lives of people. She urged current and future African leaders to learn from those who came before them, build on successful examples and avoid repeating mistakes that have hindered the continent's progress over the years.