Rama Yade

Early life and education

Yade was born in Ouakam, Dakar, Senegal. She comes from an educated, upper-middle-class, Lebou family. Her mother, Aminata Kandji, was a professor and her father, Djibril Yade, also a professor, was the personal secretary of Senegalese President Léopold Sédar Senghor and a diplomat. She moved to France with the rest of her family at the age of eight. After her father left the country when she was fourteen, she moved into a council flat in Colombes with her mother and three sisters.

Yade was educated in Catholic schools and then at the Institut d'Études Politiques de Paris, where she graduated in 2000.

Early career

Yade worked at the Paris city hall and the National Assembly. She also worked for The Greens. She later became an administrator in the Senate in 2002.

Political career

Yade joined the Union for a Popular Movement (UMP) political party in 2005 and became National Secretary in charge of Francophonie in 2006. She credits Nicolas Sarkozy's charisma with making her want to join the UMP.

Career in government

In May 2007, Yade was appointed as Secretary of State for Human Rights under the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Bernard Kouchner. In this capacity, she notably denounced Sarkozy's invitation to Muammar Gaddafi for state visit to France in 2008, citing the Libya's track record of human rights abuse.

On 6 November 2007, Yade was among the guests invited to the state dinner hosted by U.S. President George W. Bush in honor of Sarkozy at the White House.

In November 2008, Yade was rumoured to be Sarkozy's favorite choice for replacing Jean-Pierre Jouyet as Secretary of State for European Affairs, and was also privately asked to lead one of the UMP lists for the 2009 European Parliament elections. However, on 7 December, she declined to run for a seat in the European Parliament and declared herself "more interested in national mandate". On 9 December, Le Monde reported that Nicolas Sarkozy was "deeply disappointed" by her attitude and that she had "ruined all her chances" to succeed Jouyet. The following day, Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, in an interview with Le Parisien, said he regretted his suggestion to appoint a Secretary of State for Human Rights, although he noted that Yade had "done, with talent, what she could do". She had at the time the highest approval rating in the French government, with over 70%.

Yade was moved to the post of Secretary of State for Sports on 24 June 2009. Some interpreted this as a demotion in connection with Sarkozy's disapproval of her decision to not stand in the European elections. In 2010, she criticised the France national football team for staying in expensive hotels during the Great Recession.

Ambassador to UNESCO

Yade was appointed as French Ambassador to the UNESCO in December 2010. By April 2011, it was rumoured that she would be fired. She quit her job in June 2011.

Radical Party

In 2012, Yade left the UMP, joined the Radical Party and supported Jean-Louis Borloo in the presidential elections until he decided not to run. She later supported Nicolas Sarkozy, but joined the New Centre. She serves as President of the Allons Enfants! think tank.

Parliamentary elections

Yade ran and lost in the 2012 parliamentary elections in Hauts-de-Seine's 2nd constituency for the National Assembly of France. She now works for a human resources firm based in Paris, Cursus Management.

Political positions

Yade is moderate-conservative and a feminist.

Affirmative action

She favors affirmative action.

Burqas

In 2009, she said that she was not opposed to ban on burqas in France. Rama believes that this ban should be decided "as a defense of secularism and the dignity of women" and calls on Muslims to "leave the literal text behind, and adjust to the times". In 2010, she called for a referendum on banning the full veil burqas in France, in order to circumvent any legal obstacles.

LGBT rights

As Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Human Rights of France, Yade met with several LGBT organizations on the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia in 2008 and announced to the organizations that henceforth the government officially recognized that day. She announced that she would appeal to the United Nations for the universal decriminalization of homosexuality, and asked, "How can we tolerate the fact that people are stoned, hanged, decapitated and tortured only because of their sexual orientation?" When asked about the issue of same-sex marriage in 2009, she replied that it was not up to her to settle the question for society.

When she became Secretary of State for Sports, she fought against homophobia in sports and participated in the third FARE Conference Against Homophobia in Paris in 2011.

In a June 2011 interview she said she would have voted for same-sex marriage if she had been in the National Assembly. In a 2012 interview with Le Parisien, she said, "To societal issues like this or gay marriage, it is legitimate to propose a referendum. We'll see if the left will have the courage to give voice to the people." She said in 2013 interview that her support for same-sex marriage was consistent with her fight on equal rights and claimed that she had been designated as the most gay-friendly member of the government. On 1 February Rama Yade had signed with MP Yves Jégo, Jean-Christophe Lagarde, Senator Chantal Jouanno, an article in Le Monde in favor of gay marriage in the name of equality.

Foreign vote

When asked about the issue of foreign vote, Yade said it should be left to a referendum and said she was against it and said "Foreigners do not claim the right to vote. What they want is their children who are French, are elected to the Assembly, are well represented in the political, economic spheres media. In short, they are integrated. Now this is the bad conscience of the left for thirty years."

Syrian Civil War

On the issue of the civil war in Syria, she said France must act and use the military option because the Syrians requested it.

Taxes

On the issue of taxes, Yade has said "We're losing the rich, like Gérard Depardieu, and the poor feel betrayed," referring to workers at factories expected to close down. "France is the one getting weakened, and its future is being sold off cheaply," she said.

Convictions

In April 2013, Yade was convicted for libeling and slandering Manuel Aeschlimann.

In September 2013, Yade was sentenced to pay a 2000 euro fine and 4000 euros in damages for libeling her political rival Philippe Sarre.

In January 2014, Yade was again convicted for slandering Jean-Marie Le Pen and his daughter Marine Le Pen.

Personal life

Yade is married to Joseph Zimet, the son of Yiddish singer Ben Zimet, and an adviser to former Secretary of State Jean-Marie Bockel. Her husband is Jewish. Yade considers herself a feminist.

Bibliography

References

References

1. [https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/news/press-releases/ambassador-rama-yade-named-director-of-atlantic-councils-africa-center/ Ambassador Rama Yade named director of Atlantic Council’s Africa Center] [[Atlantic Council]], press release of 29 March 2021.
2. (16 Dec 2012). "Gérard Depardieu to return French passport". The Telegraph.
3. (21 April 2016). "Rama Yade candidate à l'élection présidentielle de 2017". L'Express.
4. (19 March 2017). "Rama Yade: "On n'a pas attrapé la lune mais on a touché les étoiles.Merci aux élus et à ceux qui se sont démenés pendant ces 8 mois pour m'aider"".
5. (19 December 2016). "4 Vérités - Rama Yade veut représenter "la France des oubliés"". France TV Info.
6. [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/rama-yade-the-political-star-whos-eclipsing-sarko-1668272.html Rama Yade: The political star who's eclipsing Sarko], ''[[The Independent]]'', 14 April 2009
7. [https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2007/11/20071106-13.html Guest List for the Social Dinner in Honor of His Excellency Nicolas Sarkozy President of the French Republic] [[Office of the First Lady of the United States]], press release of 6 November 2007.
8. "[https://web.archive.org/web/20090421015208/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5i9Go0QMGs7qy0OxnGaYmyjrIJWSA Rama Yade annonce qu'elle n'est pas candidate à un mandat européen]". AFP, 2008-12-08
9. "[http://www.lemonde.fr/politique/article/2008/12/09/nicolas-sarkozy-exclut-de-nommer-rama-yade-aux-affaires-europeennes_1128694_823448.html Nicolas Sarkozy exclut de nommer Rama Yade aux affaires européennes]. ''[[Le Monde]]'', 200-12-09
10. [[Bernard Kouchner]]: "" J'ai eu tort de demander un secrétariat d'État aux Droits de l'homme "". ''[[Le Parisien]]'', 2008-12-10.
11. [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/rama-yade-the-political-star-whos-eclipsing-sarko-1668272.html Rama Yade: The political star who's eclipsing Sarko] The Independent. 14 April 2009
12. Ben Hall (24 June 2009), [https://www.ft.com/content/5d4c1ef0-6025-11de-a09b-00144feabdc0 Sarkozy appoints Mitterrand scion] ''[[Financial Times]]''.
13. Emma Charlton and Carole Landry, [https://web.archive.org/web/20090711163928/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gG5JAHx6ZSiUFl1SjpYbj9ROVtEQ "Sarkozy shakes up cabinet"], AFP, 23 June 2009.
14. [https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/jun/06/france-world-cup-hotel-flashy France World Cup hotel 'too flashy' says junior sports minister], ''[[The Guardian]]'', 6 June 2010
15. [http://www.lemonde.fr/politique/article/2010/12/22/rama-yade-en-passe-d-etre-nommee-ambassadrice-a-l-unesco_1456539_823448.html Rama Yade nommée ambassadrice à l'Unesco], ''Le Monde'', 22 December 2010
16. Jim Jarrasse, [http://www.lefigaro.fr/politique/2011/04/22/01002-20110422ARTFIG00537-rama-yade-j-existerai-apres-l-unesco.php Rama Yade : «J'existerai après l'Unesco»], ''Le Figaro'', 22 April 2011
17. [http://www.lefigaro.fr/politique/2011/06/15/01002-20110615ARTFIG00622-rama-yade-quitte-son-poste-d-ambassadrice-a-l-unesco.php Rama Yade quitte son poste d'ambassadrice à l'Unesco], ''Le Figaro'',
18. [http://www.lepoint.fr/politique/rama-yade-coupe-le-cordon-de-la-sarkozie-16-06-2011-1342499_20.php Rama Yade coupe le cordon de la sarkozie], ''Le Point'', 16 June 2011
19. [http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/sarkozys-unesco-envoy-sama-yade-backs-rivals-campaign/story-e6frg6so-1226076610400 Sarkozy's UNESCO envoy Rama Yade backs rival's campaign], ''[[The Australian]]'', 16 June 2011
20. Laureline Dupont. (11 June 2012). "La girouette Rama Yade n'est pas à une contradiction près".
21. Raphael Stainville, [http://www.lefigaro.fr/lefigaromagazine/2011/10/08/01006-20111008ARTFIG00552-les-orphelins-de-borloo.php Les orphelins de Borloo], ''Le Figaro'', 8 October 2011
22. [http://www.allons-enfants.org/a-propos Allons Enfants! official website]
23. [http://www.lemonde.fr/politique/article/2012/06/11/legislatives-rama-yade-eliminee-au-premier-tour_1716218_823448.html Législatives : Rama Yade éliminée au premier tour], ''[[Le Monde]]'', 11 June 2012
24. Justine Chevalier, [http://www.leparisien.fr/hauts-de-seine-92/rama-yade-eliminee-11-06-2012-2043278.php Rama Yade éliminée] {{Webarchive. link. (16 June 2012 , ''[[Le Parisien]]'', 11 June 2012)
25. Anne Rovan, [http://www.lefigaro.fr/politique/2011/11/04/01002-20111104ARTFIG00666-rama-yade-rejoint-le-prive.php], ''Le Figaro'', 4 November 2011
26. [http://www.elle.fr/Societe/News/Rama-Yade-devient-chargee-de-mission-dans-le-prive-1797834/%28affichage%29/avis/%28listing%29/all Rama Yade devient chargée de mission dans le privé ], ''[[Elle (magazine). Elle]]'', 9 November 2011
27. (October 22, 2009). "Conservative black women bring fresh perspectives to feminism". The Giro.
28. (March 2007). "I embody everything that politicians are not:. Female, young, black and Muslim". linternaute.com.
29. (2009-06-20). "Rama Yade is not opposed to the law banning the burqa". Elle.
30. (27 May 2010). "Sailing: Yade advocates a referendum to circumvent legal obstacles".
31. (17 May 2008). "Meeting of Mrs. Rama Yade with Lesbian, Gay, Bi and Transsexual (LGBT) organisations". NotTooMuch.com.
32. (18 December 2008). "In a First, Gay Rights Are Pressed at the U.N.". [[The New York Times]].
33. (14 May 2009). "Rama Yade Gay marriage? Maybe tomorrow ...". linternaute.com.
34. (18 June 2010). "French State Secretary for Sport Rama Yade confirms her commitments towards the fight against homophobia in sport". Fare Network.
35. [https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=fr&u=https://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DNTnOHCQm7LQ&prev=/search%3Fq%3DRama%2BYade%2Bsupports%2Bgay%2Bmarriage%26hl%3Den%26noj%3D1&sa=X&ei=BAx6UfjuCOfB4AOA2oDwAQ&ved=0CGUQ7gEwBQ Rama Yade: "I would have voted for gay marriage"]
36. (2012-09-23). "Rama Yade: "L'hypocrisie sur le vote des étrangers me choque"". Le Parisien.
37. (18 January 2013). "Mariage gay: "Une évolution naturelle", selon Rama Yade". My TFI News.
38. (5 February 2013). "EN DIRECT. Mariage gay: suivez les débats à l'Assemblée nationale". L'Express.
39. (4 February 2013). "Disons oui au mariage gay". Le Monde.
40. [http://lci.tf1.fr/france/justice/rama-yade-condamnee-pour-diffamation-et-injure-7938482.html Rama Yade condamnée pour diffamation et injure], ''LCI'', 25 April 2013.
41. [http://www.liberation.fr/politiques/2013/12/04/rama-yade-de-nouveau-condamne-pour-diffamation_964133 « Rama Yade de nouveau condamnée pour diffamation »] {{Webarchive. link. (2 February 2014 , in [[Libération (journal)). liberation.fr]], 4 December 2013.
42. [http://www.lepoint.fr/politique/rama-yade-condamnee-pour-avoir-injurie-marine-et-jean-marie-le-pen-24-01-2014-1784130_20.php Rama Yade condamnée pour avoir injurié Marine et Jean-Marie Le Pen], ''Le Point'', 24 January 2014.