Maravi

Kaunda invites former African heads of state

Kaunda invites former African heads of state
By Brighton Phiri
Monday October 29, 2007 [03:00]

DR Kenneth Kaunda has invited former African heads of state and government for a caucus meeting on HIV and AIDS to be held in Livingstone next month. Dr Kaunda has called the former African leaders in his capacity as Aidscom Africa patron, an organisation formed to articulate issues of HIV and AIDS at regional level.

In his letter of invitation, Dr Kaunda explained that the planned conference would map out strategies to tackle the HIV and AIDS pandemic.

"On behalf of Aidscom Africa, I wish to invite Your Excellency to honour us with your presence and support at the conference under the theme: Ending of AIDS, Africa takes charge," read Dr Kaunda's invitation letter to former Mozambican president Joaquim Chissano. "You will recall from our presentation at the Africa Forum in November 2006, Johannesburg, South Africa that we had planned to undertake this initiative in February this year. However, on reflection, we viewed it appropriate to situate the conference closer to the World AIDS Day (December 1)."

He stated that the daunting challenges faced by Africa due to HIV and AIDS called for joint action by all stakeholders at both national and regional levels in order to mitigate the impact of the pandemic in society.

"Aidscom Africa holds the view that more needs to be done collectively if we are to win the fight against HIV and AIDS," read Dr Kaunda's letter. "It is our hope that together with other regional communication activities, the conference will become an annual event hosted in different parts of the region."

Dr Kaunda named former presidents Nelson Mandela of South Africa, Tanzania's Ali Hassan Mwinyi and Benjamin Mkapa, Botswana's Sir Katumile Masire, Namibia's Sam Nujoma, Malawi's Bakili Muluzi, Ghana's Flt. Lt. Jerry Rawlings and Burundi's Pierre Buyoya.

Other invited stakeholders are former secretary general of the United Nations Koffi Annan, former secretary general of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) Dr Salim Ahmed Salim, African Forum executive secretary Dr. John Tesha and former Southern African Development Community secretary general Simba Makoni.

Dr Kaunda has also invited the Swedish, Norwegian, American and Danish embassies, United National Development Programme (UNDP) and National AIDS Council for the conference scheduled between November 21 and 23.

According to Dr Kaunda's assistant Godwin Mfula, former president Chissano, Mwinyi, Mkapa and Nujoma were among the dignitaries that had confirmed their attendance.

Labels: KENNETH KAUNDA, LEADERSHIP

posted by MrK @ 6:15 AM