Published on 15 April 2025 / Foundation
Tribute to Essy Amara
The Brazzaville Foundation and its Founding Chairman, Jean-Yves Ollivier, have learned with deep sadness of the passing of His Excellency Ambassador Essy Amara, which occurred on 8 April 2025 in Abidjan. Former Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Ivory Coast (1990–1999), President of the United Nations General Assembly (1994–1995), Secretary-General of the Organization of African Unity (2001–2002), and Interim Chairman of the African Union Commission (2002–2003), Essy Amara was one of the leading figures in contemporary African diplomacy. He was widely recognized for his commitment to dialogue, his ability to build consensus in times of crisis, and for the lasting impact he made on pan-African institutions.
Essy Amara had done the Brazzaville Foundation the honour of serving on its Advisory Board. His voice—measured, principled, and deeply humanistic—greatly enriched our thinking. His unwavering commitment to peacebuilding and conflict resolution, both on the African continent and internationally, remained a constant source of inspiration to all who had the privilege of working with him. He also honoured us with his presence at the Lomé Summit on the fight against fake medicines in 2020, organised by the Brazzaville Foundation—a cause he regarded as vital for Africa.
Jean-Yves Ollivier fondly remembers a man of great generosity, who, among many other gestures of friendship, wrote an article in 2020 in which he stated: “Jean-Yves Ollivier was the mastermind behind the negotiations between the United States, Cuba, South Africa, and the USSR that led, in December 1988, to the Brazzaville Protocol. This peace agreement in Southern Africa paved the way for Mandela’s release fourteen months later, followed by the end of apartheid.”
The Brazzaville Foundation honours the memory of this great diplomat, a man of unwavering commitment and conviction, and extends its heartfelt condolences to his family, his loved ones, and all those who had the honour of knowing or working alongside him.
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