Côte d'Ivoire's Minister of State, Anne Désirée Ouloto Lamizana, officially launched her foundation, "Heritage for Peace and Leadership," on November 4, 2026, at the Sofitel Hôtel Ivoire in Abidjan. The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Robert Beugré Mambé, government members, religious leaders, the diplomatic corps, and traditional chiefs. The foundation, co-founded with her husband Hilaire Marcel Lamizana, aims to promote peace, leadership, and the preservation of Côte d'Ivoire's heritage.
According to Minister Ouloto, the foundation's mission is to transform memory into knowledge, experience into competence, and heritage into action. She emphasized that the foundation is non-partisan, non-denominational, and open to all good intentions. The foundation's goals include promoting a culture of peace, making memory a strength, and leadership a responsibility. Minister Ouloto stressed that the foundation will not focus on accusatory memories but rather on teaching and preserving the country's history.
The foundation will achieve its objectives through four major initiatives: the African Peace Academy, the Marie Koré Program, the Memory, Values, and Culture Program, and the Public Reflections and Dialogues Program. The African Peace Academy, located in Yaoudé, Department of Guiglo, Cavally region, will focus on conflict prevention and mediation. The foundation's board of directors comprises 16 personalities from various backgrounds, including diplomacy, universities, magistrates, administration, local authorities, civil society, and the private sector.
Minister Ouloto highlighted that Côte d'Ivoire has a precious heritage, including the doctrine of peace and dialogue of President Félix Houphouët-Boigny, the work of the nation's builders, a rich historical and cultural heritage, and the achievements of the national recovery led by President Alassane Ouattara. The foundation aims to perpetuate the memory of this heritage, prepare young generations to take responsibility, and contribute to strengthening governance through intergenerational dialogue.
The foundation was born out of the Grand Ouest Forum for Peace in August 2025, held in Cavally. It is a non-partisan, non-denominational, and non-profit organization, with statutes that exclude any partisan links or funding. The launch ceremony was marked by the signing of cooperation protocols with national and international partners. The foundation's programs will focus on preserving and promoting Côte d'Ivoire's heritage, as well as developing the skills of future leaders.
The "Heritage for Peace and Leadership" foundation has set three main ambitions: to perpetuate the memory of Côte d'Ivoire's national, historical, and cultural heritage; to prepare young generations in administration, politics, and civil society to take responsibility; and to contribute to strengthening governance through dialogue between generations. The foundation's initiatives will be implemented through its four programs, which will provide training, accompaniment, and support to individuals and organizations.
The launch of the "Heritage for Peace and Leadership" foundation marks a significant step in Côte d'Ivoire's efforts to promote peace, leadership, and the preservation of its heritage. With its non-partisan and non-denominational approach, the foundation is expected to bring together individuals and organizations from various backgrounds to work towards a common goal. As Côte d'Ivoire continues to move forward, the foundation's work will be crucial in shaping the country's future and promoting a culture of peace and leadership.
Key points
- The foundation aims to promote a culture of peace and make memory a strength.
- The foundation will achieve its objectives through four major initiatives.
- The foundation is non-partisan, non-denominational, and open to all good intentions.
