Councilor Lilian Seenoi-Barr has been elected to serve as the Mayor of the City of Derry in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.
She is set to etch her name in history as the first black person to hold the position in Northern Ireland’s annals.
Seenoi-Barr has been a councilor for London Derry’s Foyleside ward since 2021 when she was co-opted by the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP).
However, this is not Cllr Seenoi-Barr’s first historic moment. In 2023, she made history as the first black politician elected representative in Northern Ireland.
Seenoi-Barr will not take up the post until Derry and Strabane District Council’s AGM in June 2024.
She is set to take over from Derry City and Strabane Council’s current Mayor, Sinn Féin’s Patricia Logue.
Reflecting on her appointment, Seenoi-Barr expressed profound gratitude, stating, “I cannot express how much the honor of serving as Mayor of Derry and Strabane means to me.”
First Black Mayor in North Ireland
She emphasized her commitment to serving all residents irrespective of their religious, ethnic, or social backgrounds, underscoring her journey from being a refugee to finding a cherished home in Derry.
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“Having initially come to Derry as a refugee facing an uncertain future, I can now truly say that my family have found their home. I am proud to be a Maasai woman and a Derry girl,” she said.
“The significance of my appointment as Mayor is not lost on me, and I will work for every single person in this city regardless of their religion, ethnicity or background.”
Furthermore, she said she will use this year to celebrate their successes and shine a spotlight on the issues impacting many families in Nothern Ireland.
“I hope that I will also be able to inspire others and show what’s possible in a great city like ours,” she added.
SDLP leader and Foyle MP, Colum Eastwood said nominating Lilian as the Mayor is significant not only for their city and party, but for all those who struggle to see themselves represented in public life.
“It is particularly important in this moment when others are trying to reassert a narrow, nativist politics that we step up and step in to show what our city and our island is really about,” he said.
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“Lilian’s story shows that talent and hard work can make a difference and I think it’s fitting that she will make history as the Mayor of Derry and Strabane, a city and region known world over for standing up against oppression.”
Seenoi Advocating for Human Rights
Lilian Seenoi has been a member of the city council for Londonderry’s Foyleside ward since 2021 when she was co-opted by the SDLP before retaining her seat in last year’s election.
Originally from Kenya, she previously worked to promote gender rights issues for Maasai women, focusing on forced marriage and female genital mutilation.
She was involved in organizing the June 2020 Black Lives Matter protests which took place in Derry’s Guildhall Square.
Ms Seenoi-Barr is the founder and director of the Northwest Migrants Forum which supports, advises and cares for members of Black and Minority ethnic (BME) communities living mainly, but not exclusively, in the North-west region of Northern Ireland.
It is also the leading anti-racism charity in the North-West.
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