Early Life and Medical Background
Born in Kouroussa, Guinea, Dr. Morissanda Kouyaté trained as a medical doctor at the University of Conakry, before pursuing further specialization in public health at Johns Hopkins University in the United States. Early in his medical career, he witnessed the death of two young girls due to complications from female genital mutilation (FGM) — a tragic experience that would define his life’s mission.
Global Leadership in Ending FGM
Dr. Kouyaté is best known as one of the world’s most influential and persistent voices against FGM. In 1984, he co-founded the Inter-African Committee on Traditional Practices Affecting the Health of Women and Children (IAC), headquartered in Addis Ababa. As Executive Director, he spearheaded pan-African advocacy efforts, integrating health, legal, and community-based strategies to combat FGM and other harmful traditional practices.
His work reached a pivotal moment in 2012, when he co-authored and helped secure the adoption of UN General Assembly Resolution 67/146, which calls for the global elimination of FGM. He has since advised international institutions, African governments, and grassroots organizations on human rights, gender equity, and public health.
Dr. Kouyaté’s approach stands out for its human-centered, culturally sensitive strategies. He emphasizes dialogue, education, and community leadership in advancing women’s rights.
Ministerial Role and Diplomatic Achievements
Appointed as Minister of Foreign Affairs in October 2021, Dr. Kouyaté has redefined Guinea’s international image through what he describes as a “diplomacy of renewal”, grounded in dignity, history, and strategic independence.
His foreign policy is shaped by three major axes:
- Sovereign Partnership Diplomacy:
He has revitalized Guinea’s bilateral ties with countries such as Turkey, Morocco, Algeria, the UAE, and Russia, while reaffirming Guinea’s leadership within African regional organizations like the AU and ECOWAS. - Diaspora and Migration Governance:
Dr. Kouyaté has overseen the implementation of Guinea’s first Migration Governance Framework, strengthening legal protections for Guinean citizens abroad and improving consular services. - Strategic Historical Diplomacy:
Drawing inspiration from Guinea’s legacy as the first former French colony to gain independence (1958), Dr. Kouyaté’s diplomacy asserts Guinea’s role as a thought leader in African liberation and sovereignty.
In 2024, Guinean media and scholars credited him with restoring Guinea’s credibility on the international stage, particularly after periods of political turbulence. His leadership reflects a balance of assertiveness and tact, favoring African solutions to African challenges.
Awards and Global Recognition
- United Nations Nelson Mandela Prize (2020): Awarded jointly with Greek philanthropist Marianna Vardinoyannis, this prize recognizes exceptional contributions to the promotion of peace and human rights.
- Vital Voices “Story of Impact” Honoree: Celebrated as a changemaker for transforming public health advocacy into high-impact international diplomacy.
- Recognized by African Union institutions and international health organizations for pioneering multilateral approaches to gender justice.
Thought Leadership and Vision
Dr. Kouyaté sees diplomacy not only as statecraft but as moral leadership. In his public addresses, such as the one published on the Guinean Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ official website, he emphasizes that “diplomacy is an act of responsibility towards humanity.” He advocates for “a just and balanced world order,” and believes Africa must negotiate with confidence, memory, and values.
In a 2024 Q&A for WomenLift Health, he reaffirmed his lifelong fight:
Ending female genital mutilation is not just a health issue. It is about human dignity, about the right to live fully and freely.
Dr. Morissanda Kouyaté
Legacy and Continuing Mission
Today, Dr. Morissanda Kouyaté represents a rare fusion of grassroots activism, medical expertise, and high-level diplomacy. From hospital corridors in Guinea to negotiating tables at the United Nations, he continues to fight for women’s rights, national sovereignty, and international cooperation.
As Guinea’s top diplomat, he is crafting a foreign policy rooted in dignity, solidarity, and African agency, inspiring a new generation of leaders across the continent and beyond.
