International relations have always played a critical role in global policy conversations, conflict mediation and resolution, as well as political interaction among the comity of nations and state players.
In conversations around global policy matters, nations have continually sought to promote the general interest of the collective rather than that of the individuals. In doing this, individuals from all races and colors have been elected or appointed by their countries to take up critical roles as diplomats and global leaders, making decisions that significantly impact the international scene.
From the likes of Godfrey K. J. Amachree to Kofi Annan, numerous Black leaders have played a pivotal role in shaping international policy and promoting diplomatic engagement on the global stage. Their contributions have shaped political discourse and influenced international relations, global security, humanitarian interventions, and dealt with systemic barriers both in the domestic and international spaces.
Here is a look at five Black leaders and diplomats who continue to shape global policy and impact international relations.
Dr Okonjo Iweala
World Trade Organization, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Former finance minister under President Obasanjo (2003 to 2006) and President Jonathan (2011 to 2015) administrations in Nigeria, Okonjo Iweala is the seventh Director General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), the foremost woman to hold the position in the organization’s history, as well as the first of African descent.
Currently running for a second tenure after having been reappointed for another term in office on November 29, 2024, Dr Okonjo is reputedly known as an economist and international development professional. She became the Managing Director of Operations for the World Bank, having held the role of a development economist for 25 years. She was also Chair of the Board of Gavi, the vaccine alliance, and was previously on the Boards of Twitter Inc. and Standard Chartered Plc.
As one of Africa’s top international leaders, she was appointed by the World Health Organization (WHO) as well as one of the continent’s Special Envoys to garner international financial support in the fight against COVID-19 and access to COVID-19 accelerator tools.
Dr Iweala is a recipient of several awards and has been recognized seven times as one of the top 100 Most Powerful Women in the World by Forbes, twice as one of the Top 100 Most Influential People by TIME, and one of the 25 Most Influential Women by the Financial Times, among many other influential and widely celebrated awards.
A skilled negotiator, Dr Iweala continues to broker consensus agreements through her role as the Director-General of the World Trade Organization. (WTO).
Ambassador Martin Kimani
Foreign and Commonwealth Office, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Kenya’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Martin, is the President and CEO of The Africa Center in New York City, a position which he was appointed to after having served as Executive Director of the Center on International Cooperation (CIC).
As permanent representative, he was President of the Security Council in October, sitting on groups that focused on conflict prevention in Africa. He served on the Executive Board of UNFPA, UNOPS, and UNDP as President and also played a crucial role as Director of Kenya’s National Counter Terrorism Centre.
A seasoned diplomat, Ambassador Martin had been instrumental in his advisory role to three Kenyan presidents, helping them make crucial decisions on various crises, wartime evacuations, and conflict resolution scenarios.
A graduate of Philosophy from the University of New Hampshire with an MA and PHD in War Studies from King’s College London, Ambassador Martin is a recipient of Kenya’s Chief and Elder of the Order of the Burning Spear.
Minata Samaté‑Cessouma
UKinUSA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
African Union’s Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs, and Social Development from 2022 to 2025, as well as the Commissioner for Political Affairs of the African Union Commission from 2017 to 2021, Ambassador Minata has vast experience in managing and spearheading policies that are targeted at population, migration, and humanitarian affairs.
She is also a champion for social development, driving focus on culture, employment, sport, and the free movement of persons and goods. Her effort to continually put Africa at the forefront has contributed to the many successes she has received. She has also played a critical role in the advancement of her country through her role as Diplomatic Advisor to the President of Burkina Faso, as well as her role as Deputy Minister in charge of Regional Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
With over 30 years of experience, she has contributed immensely in the diplomatic circle after having served as Director of the United Nations–African Union Hybrid Mission in Darfur.
Read also: FunTimes Magazine | Black Female Leaders Who Are Shaping History Today
Chido Cleopatra Mpemba
James Moore200, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Youngest diplomat at the age of 37 to be on the African Union Chairperson’s cabinet, she is a strong voice and advocate for the many millions of youths across Africa. Holding the position of Special Envoy on Youth to the African Union Chairperson & Cabinet, Ms Chido is a public policy expert with a growing interest in geopolitics who advocates for the interests of youths who form her primary constituency.
Recognized as one of the 100 most Influential African Women by Avance Media, she is also seen as one of the Top 100 Under 40 Most Influential People of African Descent. Her passion for youth has seen her launch a listening tour campaign in 2022, where she took the opportunity to engage with young people while also seeking out dialogue platforms that dwell on socio-economic developments that are targeted at the welfare of youths.
As a young leader, Ms Chido is driving change through the launching of a digital transformation campaign that seeks to drive developmental impact on over 1000 young people and address some of Africa’s challenges by leveraging a public-private sector partnership.
Dr Fatou Bensouda
Wayamo Foundation, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Dr Bensouda is the Former Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), a position she came to occupy in 2012 and stepped down in 2021. She is also the first woman to have assumed the role. As the sole African candidate, Dr Bensouda was backed to occupy the position by the African Union.
Before that, she had held several positions, like the Solicitor General and Legal Secretary of the Republic of The Gambia, Chief Legal Advisor to the President and Cabinet of the Republic of The Gambia, Senior State Counsel and Director of Public Prosecution, among others.
On the International Scene, she was a member of the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) as Legal Advisor and Trial Attorney, where she contributed to reviewing the atrocities of the genocide in Rwanda before rising to the position of Senior Legal Advisor and Head of the Legal Advisory Unit.
Dr Bensouda was also instrumental in the negotiation treaty of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the ECOWAS Tribunal, serving as a delegate to the United Nations Conferences on crime prevention as well as the Organization of African Unity Ministerial Meeting on Human Rights.
Okechukwu Nzeribe works with the Onitsha Chamber of Commerce, in Anambra State, Nigeria, and loves unveiling the richness of African cultures. okechukwu.onicima@gmail.com
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