A former Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Amadou Mahtar Mbow, and a key figure in African education and diplomacy, passed away Tuesday at the age of 103.
Mbow, born on March 20, 1921, in Dakar, Senegal, held various influential roles throughout his life, including Minister of National Education and Minister of Culture and Youth in Senegal, before becoming the first African to lead UNESCO.
Broadcaster RFI confirmed his death. Mbow’s career began after World War II when he enlisted in the French Air Force. After the war, he studied at the Sorbonne in Paris. There, he founded the Federation of African Students in France.
He returned to Africa afterwards, serving as a professor in Collège Rouge,Mauritania, from 1951 to 1953. From 1953 to 1957, Mbow created and directed a basic education service in various locations in his country, Senegal.
Mbow was a strong advocate for African independence and played a key role in the early government of Senegal before stepping down to fully support the fight for his country’s independence.
In 1974, he became the Director-General of UNESCO, where he promoted global education, cultural understanding, and cooperation between member states.
Mbow was the first African and second leader from a developing nation to hold this position. He was re-elected unanimously (for the second time) in 1980.
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