S. Sudan to join African first ladies’ peace initiative

November 28, 2013 (JUBA) – South Sudan’s first lady, Mary Ayen Mayardit and her Nigerian counterpart have discussed the possibilities of the new nation becoming part of the African First Ladies’ Peace Mission (AFLPM).

AFLPM, which was formed in 1995 after the Beijing women conference, strives to promote peace and harmony in the continent. Gambia, Benin, Uganda, Lesotho, Burundi and Nigeria are currently part of the mission.

Ayen, who was in the Nigerian capital on Tuesday on the invitation of Patience Goodluck Jonathan, also toured the AFLPM secretariat in Abuja and later discussed with her counterpart matters on stronger relations.

While in Abuja, however, the first lady met the South Sudanese community in the West African nation and encouraged them to promote the good image of the two-year old nation.

Parmena Makuet Riak, South Sudan’s head of mission in Nigeria said the first lady’s visit to the country would greatly boost the country’s image.

Meanwhile, AFLPM has previously elected its presidents from Congo Brazzaville (2000), Equatorial Guinea (2002), Burkina Faso (2004), Democratic Republic of the Congo (2006) and Nigeria from 2008 to date.

(ST)