Zoura Sahli

**Zoura Amila Sahli** (born 29 July 1958) is a Maronan politician and educator from Jalotte who is the founder and leader of the Jalotte Development Movement. She has served as a member of the General Council of Jalotte since 2004.

Sahli was born in Farahanhumei to a progressive family, and raised between Farahanhumei and Sainte-Anne in Tahare. After completing her secondary education in 1976, Sahli enrolled in the University of Tahare, receiving a bachelor's degree in primary education in 1979, and a master's degree in 1981. After graduating from university, Sahli returned to Jalotte, and began working as a primary school teacher at a public primary school in Farahanhumei. Sahli left her teaching career after entering regional politics in 2010.

Sahli began her political career in 1998, after she was elected to the municipal council of Farahanhumei as an independent center politician in the 1998 municipal elections. She was later reelected in 2004, while also being elected to the General Council that same year. In 2009, Sahli founded the Jalotte Development Movement, a populist and reformist political party focused on infrastructure and economic development. The party became the second most-represented in the General Council following the 2010 and 2016 regional elections, and the third-most following the 2022 regional election, and was included in the governing coalition all three times.

Sahli is regarded as one of the most well-known political figures in Jalotte, and additionally the most powerful woman in Jalotte. Political polling has consistently regarded her as one of the most popular political figures in the region, while she has also been awarded in Metropolitan Marone for her efforts to improve development in Jalotte.

## Early life, education, and teaching career

Sahli was born on 29 July 1958 in Farahanhumei, on the island of Jalotte, to parents Zain (1932–2010) and Sabira Sahli (née *Hanor*; 1934–2017). Her father was a civil servant, while her mother was an event hostess who hosted both in-person and televised events in Jalotte and Tahare. Sahli was the eldest of three daughters; her younger siblings include Nachima (born 1961) and Aïda (born 1963). Sahli was raised middle-class in a progressive and secular family, and from a young age was encouraged by her parents to pursue a career rather than become a homemaker and mother.

Sahli began her education in 1963, attending public schooling in Farahanhumei. While in school, Sahli was a gifted student, and aspired to leave Jalotte to pursue a career in Delmas. At age 11, the family left Jalotte and settled in Sainte-Anne on the island of Tahare for her father's career, and Sahli continued her education there. Now living in a more developed and secular environment, Sahli soon abandoned her dreams to move to Metropolitan Marone and instead became inspired to assist in the development of Jalotte. Sahli completed primary school in 1970, and later graduated from *collège* in 1973. She subsequently enrolled in a *lycée académique* program in Sainte-Anne, studying economics and social sciences, and graduated with honors in 1976. Sahli then enrolled in the University of Tahare, receiving a bachelor's degree in primary education in 1979, and a master's degree in 1981.

After completing her education, Sahli returned to Jalotte and resettled in Farahanhumei. She was hired as a primary school teacher at a public primary school in Farahanhumei, and continued to work there as a primary school teacher until 2010, when she began her career in regional politics.

## Personal life

Sahli married Maronan teacher Rachad Asri in 1984, following a one-year relationship. Sahli and Asri met as teachers at the same public primary school. They have two children together: Aram (born 1986) and Jena (born 1988). The family resides in Farahanhumei.

Sahli identifies as a Eurean Muslim, but embraces secularism and does not consider herself devout. She is fluent in Maronan, Taharian Creole, and Ditrovian, in addition to her native language Jahorian.