AFRICAN UNION

H.E. Hilda Suka-Mafudze is the African Union Ambassador to the United States of America since October 2021. She  was nominated by H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African  Union Commission, to lead the African Union Mission in the USA, the  first bilateral diplomatic Mission opened by the AU in 2007.

Ambassador  Hilda Suka-Mafudze is the Permanent Representative of the African Union  to the United States of America. Her core mandate is to enhance and  maintain existing bilateral ties. These ties strengthen democratic  institutions, advance trade and investment, knowledge sharing, promotes  peace and security, mutual relationships between U.S and all 55 AU  member countries based on culture and shared values. A career diplomat  with experience that spans the African continent, Ambassador  Suka-Mafudze assumed her most recent duties on November 2, 2020. Prior  to coming to the U.S., she helped lead diplomacy for more than two  decades in a variety of top government positions in her home country –  Zimbabwe. Wellknown as a “quiet champion of democracy,” Ambassador  SukaMafudze held ambassadorial positions representing her country in  Khartoum Sudan and South Sudan between 2010 and 2019, and most recently  in the Republic of Malawi.

With a  staunch commitment to democracy and the will of the people, Ambassador  Suka-Mafudze worked fastidiously with the 55 AU member countries to  promote and deepen democracy and democratic elections on the African  continent. While Ambassador to Malawi, she chaired the group of regional  ambassadors representing the South African Development Community  (SADC), a regional Economic Community comprising 16 member states. With  an agreed objective to coordinate efforts and settle issues of a  contested national election, the Ambassadors engaged deeply with the  African Union Election Observers and other international observers.  Ambassador Suka-Mafudze herself was serving as an international  observer. In Khartoum Sudan and South Sudan, she led important  high-level political processes that continue to move the entire region  toward greater peace and security. In 2007, Ambassador Suka-Mafudze was  the Executive Director of Community Development where she was  responsible for the day-to-day running of an organization and technical  professional staff who interfaced with the government, civil society,  and private sector. She worked to ensure civil society needs were  articulated and streamlined in public policies and programs.

From 2000 to 2005, Ambassador  Suka-Mafudze served as an elected member of Zimbabwe’s Parliament. As  one of the few women parliamentarians, she was an influential voice  committed to ensuring Zimbabwe’s laws were balanced and served the  interests of the poor and other marginalized groups – women, youth, the  elder and children. Ambassador Suka-Mafudze has a Master of Arts degree  in International Relations and the World Order from the University of  Leicester, United Kingdom, and a Bachelor of Science degree (with  Honours) in Sociology and Gender Development from the Women’s University  in Africa (WUA). Located in Marondera, Zimbabwe, WUA is a private  university that works to address gender disparity and foster equity in  tertiary education while developing knowledge and skills in areas of  vital importance for women. Ambassador Suka-Mafudze’s other professional  and academic training include: The United Nations Senior Mission  Leaders’ Course, Interaction Leadership from the British Council, a  professional certificate in Networking Leadership, Diplomacy, and  Mediation Skills, Leading in Conflict Environments and Skills for  Conflict Transformation. Ambassador SukaMafudze is fluent in English,  working knowledge of French and some Southern African languages,  including Shona and Ndebele. Ambassador Hilda Suka-Mafudze is married  with four beautiful children.