Marie-Noëlle Koyara facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Marie-Noëlle Koyara
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| Minister of National Defense | |
| In office 17 January 2015 – 10 June 2021 |
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| President | Catherine Samba-Panza Faustin-Archange Touadéra |
| Prime Minister | André Nzapayeké Mahamat Kamoun Simplice Sarandji |
| Succeeded by | Rameaux-Claude Bireau |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 14, 1955 Bouar, Central African Republic |
| Political party | Independent |
| Alma mater | Technological University of Mbaïki |
| Occupation | Agronomist |
Marie-Noëlle Koyara (born in 1955) is an important politician from the Central African Republic. She has held many important jobs in her country's government. She is especially known for being the first woman to serve as the Minister of National Defense in her country. This happened after the Central African Republic became independent in 1960.
Early Life and Education
Marie-Noëlle Koyara was born in 1955 in Bouar, a town in the Central African Republic. She went to school in Bouar and later in Bangui, the capital city.
At one point, she left high school to join the National Police. She was one of the first women ever accepted into the police force. However, her mother passed away that same year. Marie-Noëlle Koyara then decided to go back to high school.
After finishing high school, she went to university. She studied agriculture and became an agriculture engineer. An agronomist is someone who studies how to grow crops and manage farms better.
A Career in Public Service
Marie-Noëlle Koyara worked on many projects to help develop agriculture. She also worked with the African Development Foundation. This foundation helps countries in Africa grow and improve.
Her hard work led her to become a government minister. A minister is a high-ranking official in the government. Between 1993 and 1996, she served as the Minister of Rural Promotion. This role focused on helping people in the countryside. She was also the Minister of Women Promotion and Social Affairs. In this job, she worked to improve the lives of women and families.
After these roles, Koyara became the representative for the Central African Republic at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The FAO is part of the United Nations. It works to end hunger and improve food security around the world. She lived in different countries while working for the FAO, including Cape Verde, Burkina Faso, and Ivory Coast.
Making History as Defense Minister
In June 2013, Marie-Noëlle Koyara returned to her country's government. She was appointed Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development. Later, she became the Minister of State of Labor and Public Affairs. This made her the first woman in her country to hold the title of Minister of State. A Minister of State is a very senior minister.
She then served as the Minister of State of Rural Development. In January 2015, she made history again. She was appointed the first ever female Minister of National Defense. The Minister of Defense is in charge of the country's military and protecting its borders. She held this important position in 2015 and again from 2017 to 2021.
Marie-Noëlle Koyara's career shows her dedication to public service. She has broken barriers for women in government in the Central African Republic.
