Mireille Kotalimbora-Kolingba (born 13 November 1947) is a Central African politician who was the First Lady of the Central African Republic from 1981 to 1993 during the presidency of Andre Kolingba.

Early life and education

Born in Dolisie on 13 November 1947 with the name Mireille Kotalimbora, she studied at and graduated in 1970. In 1977, she received a master's degree in business management from the Université du Québec.

Career

In 1963, Kotalimbora worked as a freelance at

Radio Centrafrique Radio Centrafrique is a public radio station in the Central African Republic that is funded by the Ministry of Communication and Media. It broadcasts in French and Sango. History Radio Centrafrique was established on 8 December 1958 as Radio Ba ...

during weekends and school vacations. During her work on the radio, she met with Andre Kolingba. Kolingba entered civil service in 1970 and worked as head of staff of the Ministry of Justice from 1971 to 1974. Returning to the Central African Republic, she was reappointed as head of staff in 1979 and later became the cabinet head of the Ministry of Justice. She founded and led a women's organization Vie et espoir, in 1986. Afterward, she was elected as an MP representing Ouango in 1998. However, following the 2001 failed coup attempt, she and her three children took refuge at the French Embassy in Bangui and later moved to France in August 2001. She returned to

Bangui Bangui () (or Bangî in Sango, formerly written Bangi in English) is the capital and largest city of the Central African Republic. It was established as a French outpost in 1889 and named after its location on the northern bank of the Ubangi ...

with her husband on 5 October 2003. In 2005, she was reelected as an MP and encouraged the people not to vote MLPC party because it led to the return of

Banyamulenge Banyamulenge, also referred to as nyamurenge and banyamurenge (literally 'those who live in Mulenge') is the name that they adopted in the 80’s describes a Tutsi community in the southern part of Kivu who migrated from Rwanda and seek refuge in ...

who would kill, loot, and rape during 2005 election campaign. Nevertheless, she lost in the 2011 election.

Personal life

Mireille Kolingba married Andre Kolingba in 1969, and the couple had 12 children. From 1975 to 1979, she lived in Canada, accompanying her husband, who worked as Central African Republic Ambassador to Canada.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kolingba, Mireille Living people 1947 births Central African Republic women in politics First ladies and gentlemen of the Central African Republic Members of the National Assembly (Central African Republic) People from Niari Department