In episode 9, podcast host Ahmad Fawzi welcomes special guest Mohamed Ibn Chambas. Together, they explore trends, challenges, and opportunities for democracy in Africa.
What are noteworthy examples of democratic governance on the continent? How can we restore trust in democracy, as the system best able to ensure that the voices of the people are heard, their rights respected and concerns addressed?
“Too many regimes fail to represent the needs and hopes of their people.”
In Kofi Time episode 9, podcast host Ahmad Fawzi welcomes Mohamed Ibn Chambas to discuss democracy in Africa. Together they discuss the reasons why democracy seems to have lost some of its shine on the continent, especially among young people. And yet, surveys show that a great majority of people reject autocrats and military takeovers.
Learning from Kofi Annan’s leadership, how can we increase democratic resilience and facilitate the participation of civil society, women and young people?
About Mohamed Ibn Chambas:
Dr Mohamed Ibn Chambas is a Ghanaian politician, lawyer, diplomat and academic. He served previously as Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for West Africa and Head of the UN Office for West Africa (UNOWAS) from 2014 to 2021.
Dr Chambas was the Joint Special Representative (JSR) of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur(UNAMID) and Joint Chief Mediator (JCM) in charge of the Darfur peace negotiations between 2013–14. From 2010–13, he was the Secretary-General of the African Caribbean and Pacific Group (ACP).
Prior to his leadership of the ACP, Dr Chambas served as President of the 15-member Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) from 2007–2010. He also served as the Executive Secretary of ECOWAS starting in February 2002, when ECOWAS was a Secretariat.
Regarded as one of the modern world’s icons of diplomacy, what is Kofi Annan’s legacy today? What can we learn from him, and how can we prepare for tomorrow based on his vision for a better world?
In this exclusive 10-part podcast, Ahmad Fawzi, one of Kofi Annan’s former spokespersons and Communication Advisor, examines how Kofi Annan tackled a specific crisis and its relevance to today’s world and challenges.
Kofi Annan’s call to bring all stakeholders around the table — including the private sector, local authorities, civil society organisations, academia, and scientists — resonates now more than ever with so many, who understand that governments alone cannot shape our future.
Join us on a journey of discovery as Ahmad Fawzi interviews some of Kofi Annan’s closest advisors and colleagues, including Dr Peter Piot, Christiane Amanpour, Mark Malloch-Brown, Michael Møller, Mark Suzman, Alicia Bárcena and more.
Listen and follow us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and SoundCloud
Brought to you by the Kofi Annan Foundation and the United Nations Information Service.
GENEVA, 2 June 2026. The Kofi Annan Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms Katie Sams as its new Executive Director. Ms Sams will succeed Ms Corinne Momal-Vanian, who is stepping down after six years of service with the Foundation. Ms Sams brings extensive experience in international humanitarian and peacebuilding…
GENEVA, 2 June 2026. The Kofi Annan Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms Katie Sams as its new Executive Director. Ms Sams will succeed Ms Corinne Momal-Vanian, who is stepping down after six years of service with the Foundation. Ms Sams brings extensive experience in international humanitarian and peacebuilding organisations. Most recently, she served as Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer at the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, after more than two decades with the International Committee of the Red Cross in a range of senior leadership positions. Earlier in her career, she focused on African peace…
On June 2 2026, young participants in the Rooting for the Future initiative will present community projects inspired by Tripoli’s shared heritage following a 15-month-long programme focused on heritage conservation, youth empowerment, and social cohesion. TRIPOLI, LEBANON, 28 May 2026. Young people in Tripoli are using cultural heritage to strengthen social cohesion…
On June 2 2026, young participants in the Rooting for the Future initiative will present community projects inspired by Tripoli’s shared heritage following a 15-month-long programme focused on heritage conservation, youth empowerment, and social cohesion. TRIPOLI, LEBANON, 28 May 2026. Young people in Tripoli are using cultural heritage to strengthen social cohesion and create new opportunities amid Lebanon’s ongoing economic and social crisis. In 2025, the Kofi Annan Foundation, in collaboration with Fight for Humanity, Permanent Peace Movement, IECD – Semeurs d’Avenir, and the Directorate General of Antiquities, launched Rooting for the Future. The project, made possible by support from…
In a year marked by growing division, conflict, and uncertainty, the Kofi Annan Foundation continued to invest in what matters most: people. As our world is increasingly defined by division, it can be easy to lose sight of progress. But progress is happening. In 2025, the Kofi Annan Foundation supported young leaders…
In a year marked by growing division, conflict, and uncertainty, the Kofi Annan Foundation continued to invest in what matters most: people. As our world is increasingly defined by division, it can be easy to lose sight of progress. But progress is happening. In 2025, the Kofi Annan Foundation supported young leaders working on the frontlines of peace, democracy, and cooperation — from local communities to global platforms. Our Annual Report shares what that looks like in practice, including: Our work in 2025 is part of our broader effort to build more peaceful, inclusive, and resilient societies, and it shows…
Amir Abdulla, a member of the Kofi Annan Commission on Food Security, joins The Next Page Pod to examine the complex issue of global food security and the need for a revamped governance system. Despite having enough food produced worldwide to feed everyone, millions still suffer from hunger due to systemic failures.…
Amir Abdulla, a member of the Kofi Annan Commission on Food Security, joins The Next Page Pod to examine the complex issue of global food security and the need for a revamped governance system. Despite having enough food produced worldwide to feed everyone, millions still suffer from hunger due to systemic failures. This podcast episode was originally published by The Next Page Pod, a podcast from the UN Library & Archives Geneva, designed to advance the conversation on multilateralism. In the episode, Amir Abdulla, a Kofi Annan Commission on Food Security Commissioner, shares vital insights from the recently released report…
In episode 9, podcast host Ahmad Fawzi welcomes special guest Mohamed Ibn Chambas. Together, they explore trends, challenges, and opportunities for democracy in Africa. What are noteworthy examples of democratic governance on the continent? How can we restore trust in democracy, as the system best able to ensure that the voices of…
In episode 9, podcast host Ahmad Fawzi welcomes special guest Mohamed Ibn Chambas. Together, they explore trends, challenges, and opportunities for democracy in Africa. What are noteworthy examples of democratic governance on the continent? How can we restore trust in democracy, as the system best able to ensure that the voices of the people are heard, their rights respected and concerns addressed? “Too many regimes fail to represent the needs and hopes of their people.” In Kofi Time episode 9, podcast host Ahmad Fawzi welcomes Mohamed Ibn Chambas to discuss democracy in Africa. Together they discuss the reasons why democracy…
In episode 6 of Kofi Time, our special guest is Zeid Raad Al Hussein. Zeid discusses his friendship with Kofi Annan and how they worked together to protect human dignity and promote human rights. Through the creation of the Human Rights Council and the International Criminal Court, Kofi Annan played a critical…
In episode 6 of Kofi Time, our special guest is Zeid Raad Al Hussein. Zeid discusses his friendship with Kofi Annan and how they worked together to protect human dignity and promote human rights. Through the creation of the Human Rights Council and the International Criminal Court, Kofi Annan played a critical role in establishing the mechanisms that we have today to protect human rights and fight impunity. How can we uphold Kofi Annan’s legacy and ensure that respect for human rights is not just an abstract concept but a reality? In episode 6 of Kofi Time, our special guest…
The following speech was delivered by Michael Møller, a Kofi Annan Foundation Board member, on 22 January 2026, during a special event entitled “The Future of the United Nations in a Turbulent World” at the Danish Parliament in Copenhagen. Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen. Thank you very much for the invitation to reflect with…
The following speech was delivered by Michael Møller, a Kofi Annan Foundation Board member, on 22 January 2026, during a special event entitled “The Future of the United Nations in a Turbulent World” at the Danish Parliament in Copenhagen. Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen. Thank you very much for the invitation to reflect with you on the transition of multilateralism and the United Nations, and the choices that lie before us. It is an honour and a pleasure to be with you today. Much of what I will say may be familiar and even self-evident, and by some of you, maybe considered…
French traduction below / Traduction française ci-dessous The Kofi Annan Foundation calls on all the protagonists of the escalating crisis in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to bring the fighting in and around Goma to an immediate end, and to seek a lasting solution to the protracted conflict that has…
French traduction below / Traduction française ci-dessous The Kofi Annan Foundation calls on all the protagonists of the escalating crisis in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to bring the fighting in and around Goma to an immediate end, and to seek a lasting solution to the protracted conflict that has affected the region for too long. The M23 rebel movement must withdraw from Goma, and Rwandan troops must withdraw from the DRC. Rwanda’s military presence in the country is a clear violation of international law, the UN Charter, and the territorial integrity of the DRC. While Rwanda and the…
The following is a transcript of the speech given by Corinne Momal-Vanian at the 16TH EISA ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM in Nairobi, 11 December 2024. Navigating political transitions in Africa It is an honour to be asked to deliver this opening speech on behalf of the Kofi Annan Foundation. For most of my career,…
The following is a transcript of the speech given by Corinne Momal-Vanian at the 16TH EISA ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM in Nairobi, 11 December 2024. Navigating political transitions in Africa It is an honour to be asked to deliver this opening speech on behalf of the Kofi Annan Foundation. For most of my career, the term “transition” has meant a transition from authoritarian rule to democracy. That is why it came as a bit of a shock to realize, when I read the conference’s excellent concept note, that is now means the exact opposite. Something has gone wrong, ladies and gentlemen, and…
On June 2 2026, young participants in the Rooting for the Future initiative will present community projects inspired by Tripoli’s shared heritage following a 15-month-long programme focused on heritage conservation, youth empowerment, and social cohesion. TRIPOLI, LEBANON, 28 May 2026. Young people in Tripoli are using cultural heritage to strengthen social cohesion…
On June 2 2026, young participants in the Rooting for the Future initiative will present community projects inspired by Tripoli’s shared heritage following a 15-month-long programme focused on heritage conservation, youth empowerment, and social cohesion. TRIPOLI, LEBANON, 28 May 2026. Young people in Tripoli are using cultural heritage to strengthen social cohesion and create new opportunities amid Lebanon’s ongoing economic and social crisis. In 2025, the Kofi Annan Foundation, in collaboration with Fight for Humanity, Permanent Peace Movement, IECD – Semeurs d’Avenir, and the Directorate General of Antiquities, launched Rooting for the Future. The project, made possible by support from…
In a year marked by growing division, conflict, and uncertainty, the Kofi Annan Foundation continued to invest in what matters most: people. As our world is increasingly defined by division, it can be easy to lose sight of progress. But progress is happening. In 2025, the Kofi Annan Foundation supported young leaders…
In a year marked by growing division, conflict, and uncertainty, the Kofi Annan Foundation continued to invest in what matters most: people. As our world is increasingly defined by division, it can be easy to lose sight of progress. But progress is happening. In 2025, the Kofi Annan Foundation supported young leaders working on the frontlines of peace, democracy, and cooperation — from local communities to global platforms. Our Annual Report shares what that looks like in practice, including: Our work in 2025 is part of our broader effort to build more peaceful, inclusive, and resilient societies, and it shows…
In the years following Sri Lanka’s economic crisis in 2022, daily life for many has been shaped by uncertainty and disruption. For many young people, the pressures of everyday life have pushed civic participation to the margins. For young women from minority communities, this challenge is even greater. Their voices are often…
In the years following Sri Lanka’s economic crisis in 2022, daily life for many has been shaped by uncertainty and disruption. For many young people, the pressures of everyday life have pushed civic participation to the margins. For young women from minority communities, this challenge is even greater. Their voices are often absent from discussions about the social and political issues that shape their lives. Nabeela Iqbal, a Sri Lankan activist, peacebuilder, and Kofi Annan Changemaker 2023, is working to change that. Through the Write for Justice Initiative, Nabeela’s organisation, Sisterhood Initiative, trained young women to write and publish on social justice issues,…
GENEVA, 2 June 2026. The Kofi Annan Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms Katie Sams as its new Executive Director. Ms Sams will succeed Ms Corinne Momal-Vanian, who is stepping down after six years of service with the Foundation. Ms Sams brings extensive experience in international humanitarian and peacebuilding…
GENEVA, 2 June 2026. The Kofi Annan Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms Katie Sams as its new Executive Director. Ms Sams will succeed Ms Corinne Momal-Vanian, who is stepping down after six years of service with the Foundation. Ms Sams brings extensive experience in international humanitarian and peacebuilding organisations. Most recently, she served as Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer at the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, after more than two decades with the International Committee of the Red Cross in a range of senior leadership positions. Earlier in her career, she focused on African peace…
On June 2 2026, young participants in the Rooting for the Future initiative will present community projects inspired by Tripoli’s shared heritage following a 15-month-long programme focused on heritage conservation, youth empowerment, and social cohesion. TRIPOLI, LEBANON, 28 May 2026. Young people in Tripoli are using cultural heritage to strengthen social cohesion…
On June 2 2026, young participants in the Rooting for the Future initiative will present community projects inspired by Tripoli’s shared heritage following a 15-month-long programme focused on heritage conservation, youth empowerment, and social cohesion. TRIPOLI, LEBANON, 28 May 2026. Young people in Tripoli are using cultural heritage to strengthen social cohesion and create new opportunities amid Lebanon’s ongoing economic and social crisis. In 2025, the Kofi Annan Foundation, in collaboration with Fight for Humanity, Permanent Peace Movement, IECD – Semeurs d’Avenir, and the Directorate General of Antiquities, launched Rooting for the Future. The project, made possible by support from…
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is expected to hold elections in December this year – a vote many see as pivotal for the country’s future. It follows a series of troubled elections which raised questions about the integrity of electoral processes and highlighted the need for various reforms. “The Catholic…
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is expected to hold elections in December this year – a vote many see as pivotal for the country’s future. It follows a series of troubled elections which raised questions about the integrity of electoral processes and highlighted the need for various reforms. “The Catholic and Protestant churches conducted a major study of the state of election preparations in May, which revealed serious problems, some technical, and some deliberate, which call into question the integrity of the process. The people of the DRC will not brook another fraudulent election.” – Jean Bosco Lalo,…
GENEVA, 2 June 2026. The Kofi Annan Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms Katie Sams as its new Executive Director. Ms Sams will succeed Ms Corinne Momal-Vanian, who is stepping down after six years of service with the Foundation. Ms Sams brings extensive experience in international humanitarian and peacebuilding…
GENEVA, 2 June 2026. The Kofi Annan Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms Katie Sams as its new Executive Director. Ms Sams will succeed Ms Corinne Momal-Vanian, who is stepping down after six years of service with the Foundation. Ms Sams brings extensive experience in international humanitarian and peacebuilding organisations. Most recently, she served as Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer at the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, after more than two decades with the International Committee of the Red Cross in a range of senior leadership positions. Earlier in her career, she focused on African peace…
The Kofi Annan Foundation is delighted to announce the appointment of Kojo Annan, John Nagulendran and Neha Sanghrajka to the Board of the Kofi Annan Foundation in 2025. Kojo Annan is an entrepreneur and investor with an extensive global network and strong track record of growing new businesses across international markets. “It…
The Kofi Annan Foundation is delighted to announce the appointment of Kojo Annan, John Nagulendran and Neha Sanghrajka to the Board of the Kofi Annan Foundation in 2025. Kojo Annan is an entrepreneur and investor with an extensive global network and strong track record of growing new businesses across international markets. “It is a great privilege to join the board of the Kofi Annan Foundation and contribute to advancing its vital work. My father’s lifelong commitment to peace, justice, and multilateralism continues to inspire me, and I am deeply invested in ensuring that his vision remains impactful for generations to…
The Kofi Annan Foundation is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Peter Piot to the Board of the Kofi Annan Foundation. Dr Piot is a Belgian physician and microbiologist, Special Advisor on global health security to the President of the European Commission, Founding Executive Director of UNAIDS, former Under-Secretary-General of the…
The Kofi Annan Foundation is delighted to announce the appointment of Dr Peter Piot to the Board of the Kofi Annan Foundation. Dr Piot is a Belgian physician and microbiologist, Special Advisor on global health security to the President of the European Commission, Founding Executive Director of UNAIDS, former Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations, and former Director of the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. “I am delighted to welcome Peter Piot to the Board of the Foundation,” said Board Chair Elhadj As Sy. “Peterbrings to the Board several decades of experience from an illustrious career in international public…
