Pretoria – President Jacob Zuma has praised the African First Ladies Peace Mission (AFLPM) for the important work it is doing in promoting peace and hope on the African continent.
“This is an important platform to seek common solutions to the challenges facing the African continent and I encourage you to continue [the] good work … Our people in this country and the entire continent need the reassurance and hope that you bring,” said President Zuma.
He was addressing a gala dinner hosted by South African First Lady and Vice-President of the AFLPM, Nompumelelo Zuma, in Pretoria on Friday.
“It is encouraging that you folded sleeves to support peace initiatives on this continent, and in particular to safeguard and advance the interests of women and children. Your support to the victims of war, refugees and displaced people is very important in healing the wounds of conflict,” he said.
President Zuma said the advocacy and activism of AFLPM around health issues, the various cancers, HIV and Aids, teenage pregnancy, education and many others had proven true to the protective and nurturing character of women.
“Your successes in mobilising support to provide food, medication and other material to refugees on the continent illustrate the extent of your determination to help bring change,” he said.
First Lady Zuma said as the AFLPM, they wanted to contribute in their own small way to the work of Heads of State and Government in promoting peace.
“We want to play a role in the peace processes, paying attention to among others the needs of refugees, women and children.
“War displaces people. Many people have left their countries and have become refugees. We want to play our role in promoting that the refugees be treated with dignity and respect,” she said.
The AFLPM was established to promote peace and harmony in Africa. It came into being in 1995 after the International Conference on Women in Beijing, in China.
The initiative was taken by the First Ladies of Nigeria, Gambia, Benin, Uganda, Lesotho and Burundi to undertake a mission of peace to the rest of Africa.
Nigeria hosted the first summit of the AFLP and was elected the pioneer president of the organisation in 1997. AFLPM President and First Lady of Nigeria, Patience Jonathan, was among those who attended the dinner. – SAnews.gov.za
