FLACID Summit

FLACID - [First Ladies of Africa's Criminally Insane Dictators]

A spoof on the Flair Summit with Ms Auxilla1 Mnangagwa, Wife and 'First Lady' of the ruthless dictator, Dr(?) Emmerson 'Dumbo' Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe2. But, check out the Flair Summit Early Bird Ticket Prices3

BREAKING: 8th May 2025: Some initial checking has confirmed one of the speakers HAS NOT given permission and is NOT speaking at this event - more to follow/

Further breaking: we recorded Dr Oxilla Mnangagwa rehearsing the speech for London, in June in a local hospital ward this evening 

Whilst we acknowledge the aspirational attributes of this innovative campaign [Flair Summit], the inclusion of Auxilla as "Patron Elect" {indicating some form of sponsorship or payment for this position}, has damned the event as a Dictators Wive's Club! Take note organisers, you have made a profound error of judgement. 

Dictatorships and First Ladies

As of 2025, identifying the exact number of dictatorships in Africa is complex due to varying definitions of "dictatorship" and the dynamic nature of political regimes. Based on available data, particularly from sources like Freedom House and World Population Review, approximately 22 African nations are classified as "Not Free," indicating authoritarian regimes where a single leader or party holds absolute power, often suppressing political freedoms and civil rights. These regimes are commonly associated with dictatorship characteristics, such as repression of opposition, limited press freedom, and prolonged leadership tenures. However, this number can fluctuate due to coups, elections, or transitions, and some countries may be hybrid regimes with partial democratic elements.

Below is a list of African countries identified as having authoritarian regimes (based on recent data) and, where information is available, the names of their "First Ladies" or equivalent figures. Note that not all countries explicitly designate a "First Lady," and in some cases, the leader’s spouse may not be publicly prominent or documented. Additionally, some leaders may not be married, or their spouses’ identities may not be widely reported due to the secretive nature of certain regimes. If no "First Lady" is listed, it reflects a lack of accessible information or relevance in the public domain.

African Countries with Authoritarian Regimes and Their First Ladies (where known):

• Algeria - No prominent "First Lady" documented; President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s spouse is not publicly highlighted.
• Angola - Ana Dias Lourenço, wife of President João Lourenço.
• Burkina Faso - No "First Lady" prominently documented; military junta led by Captain Ibrahim Traoré since 2022.
• Burundi - Angeline Ndayishimiye, wife of President Évariste Ndayishimiye.
• Cameroon - Chantal Biya, wife of President Paul Biya.
• Central African Republic - Tina Marguerite Touadera, wife of President Faustin-Archange Touadéra.
• Chad - Hinda Déby Itno, wife of transitional President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno.
• Congo, Democratic Republic of - Denise Nyakeru Tshisekedi, wife of President Félix Tshisekedi (though DRC’s status as a dictatorship is debated due to contested elections).
• Congo, Republic of - Antoinette Sassou Nguesso, wife of President Denis Sassou Nguesso.
• Djibouti - Kadra Mahamoud Haid, wife of President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh.
• Egypt - Entissar Amer, wife of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.
• Equatorial Guinea - Constancia Mangue, wife of President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo.
• Eritrea - No "First Lady" documented; President Isaias Afwerki’s spouse is not publicly prominent.
• Eswatini - Multiple queens (Inkhosikati), as King Mswati III has numerous wives; no single "First Lady" is designated.
• Gabon - No "First Lady" prominently documented; transitional military leader Brice Oligui Nguema’s spouse is not widely reported.
• Guinea - No "First Lady" documented; military junta led by Mamady Doumbouya since 2021.
• Mali - No "First Lady" documented; military junta led by Colonel Assimi Goïta since 2021.
• Niger - No "First Lady" documented; military junta led by General Abdourahamane Tchiani since 2023.
• Rwanda - Jeannette Kagame, wife of President Paul Kagame.
• South Sudan - Mary Ayen Mayardit, wife of President Salva Kiir Mayardit.
• Sudan - No "First Lady" documented; military rule under General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, with no prominent spouse reported.
• Uganda - Janet Museveni, wife of President Yoweri Museveni.

Notes and Caveats:

• Definition of Dictatorship: The classification of a country as a dictatorship is based on Freedom House’s "Not Free" designation, which aligns with regimes lacking political freedoms and civil liberties. Some countries, like Rwanda or Uganda, may hold elections, but these are often criticized as non-competitive or manipulated, fitting the authoritarian model.
• First Ladies: In many authoritarian regimes, the role of the "First Lady" varies. Some, like Chantal Biya of Cameroon or Constancia Mangue of Equatorial Guinea, are publicly visible and involved in advocacy or philanthropy. Others are less prominent, and in military juntas (e.g., Mali, Niger), the leader’s spouse may not hold a public role. Information gaps exist due to limited transparency in some regimes.
• Dynamic Political Landscape: Recent coups (e.g., Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger) and transitions (e.g., Gabon) mean leadership and spousal roles can change rapidly. For example, former Gambian President Yahya Jammeh’s wife, Zeinab Suma, was noted as a "First Lady" until his exile in 2017.
• Data Limitations: Not all leaders’ spouses are documented in accessible sources, especially in secretive or unstable regimes. Some leaders may be unmarried or their spouses may avoid public life, complicating the identification of a "First Lady."
• Critical Perspective: The term "dictatorship" can be contentious, as some leaders (e.g., Kagame in Rwanda) are credited with economic progress despite authoritarian tactics. Conversely, regimes like Eritrea’s are universally condemned for severe repression. The label "First Lady" may also carry different cultural or political weight in African contexts compared to Western frameworks.

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe as a Dictatorship: Zimbabwe is often classified as an authoritarian regime, fitting the characteristics of a dictatorship due to its suppression of political opposition, limited press freedom, and prolonged leadership under the ZANU-PF party. Under President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who has been in power since the 2017 coup that ousted Robert Mugabe, the regime has been criticized for human rights abuses, electoral manipulation, and cracking down on dissent. For instance, Amnesty International has noted that Mnangagwa’s government has continued Mugabe’s legacy of violence and impunity, with laws like the 2023 Patriotic Bill criminalizing actions deemed against "national interest" in vague terms, stifling free expression. Freedom House classifies Zimbabwe as "Not Free," reflecting its authoritarian governance.

Auxilla 

Auxillia Mnangagwa as First Lady: Auxillia Mnangagwa, born March 25, 1963, has been the First Lady of Zimbabwe since November 2017, following her husband Emmerson Mnangagwa’s rise to the presidency. A former ZANU-PF Member of Parliament for Chirumanzu-Zibagwe (2015–2018), she has a background in the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) and has been active in politics since 1982. Known as "Amai" (Mother), she is celebrated in state media for her philanthropy through the Angel of Hope Foundation, focusing on women’s empowerment, health, and education. She has initiated programs like mobile cancer screening, HPV vaccination campaigns, and women’s banks, and was elected Vice-President of the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development in 2019.

However, her public image is controversial. Critics, including posts on X, allege involvement in corrupt business dealings, such as gold smuggling and money laundering, though these claims lack conclusive evidence and stem from sources like Al Jazeera’s investigative reporting. In 2024, the United States imposed sanctions on Auxillia, her husband, and others for alleged human rights abuses and corruption, including minerals smuggling. Her charitable work, while praised domestically, has faced scrutiny, with some awards (e.g., a 2019 Harvard Health Catalyst award) being revoked due to protests over Zimbabwe’s human rights record. Additionally, her role as a former CIO operative and rumours of spying on her husband early in their relationship add complexity to her political persona.

Critical Perspective: While Auxillia’s initiatives align with traditional "First Lady" roles in Africa, promoting health and empowerment, the opaque nature of Zimbabwe’s regime raises questions about the motives behind her public activities. Some view her work as genuine, others as a tool to soften the regime’s image. Zimbabwe’s authoritarian system, underpinned by military influence and ZANU-PF dominance, remains a dictatorship in practice, with Auxillia navigating a delicate balance between philanthropy and the political realities of her husband’s rule.

Exorbitant Costs of Tickets

Whilst the campaign seems aspirational, we are staggered by the ticket prices - considering the average wage in the African continent, and much lower in Zimbabwe. Where University Lecturers are on $250pm, and unemployment is probably over 80% with most literally scratching a living buying and selling on the streets.

{Click on the Image OR here to see a larger ticket cost image, which is easier to read}

So the "First Lady" Auxilla Mnangagwa is at a function where the single day ticket, as an "early bird offer" is £590.00 (in USD - $ 785, but in ZiG - who could even guess)! The Awards Gala Dinner ticket is £590 -( $785); 2 day Summit Pass is £1,150 ( $1,530)  and the full event with all the dinners - as an early bird ticket purchase would set you back £1,740, ( $2,315) plus the hotel stay, breakfasts and meals. Who the hell is this SUMMIT aimed at? Its too high for 99% of Zimbabweans we think!

Empowering Women? You need to find yourself a millionaire, or billionaire to attend - or like in Zimbabwe - loot your way to the top of this insidious SUMMIT - No thank you - we prefer to keep being down to Earth. This FLAIR SUMMIT is far too high for most - and much too rich for our taste.

In fact it simply reeks of ostentatious elitism - hardly Empowering Women.