Zambia’s former First Lady, Maureen Mwanawasa, says the death of Gabon’s First Lady, Lucie Bongo, is a tragedy to efforts of fighting HIV and AIDS in Africa.
Mrs Mwanawasa, who is also former Organization of African First Ladies against AIDS, OAFLA, described the late Mrs Bongo as a gallant daughter of Africa, who held the issues affecting the continent close to her heart.
Mrs. Mwanawasa said in a press statement released to ZANIS in Lusaka to today that she learnt with great pain and shock the death of Mrs Bongo.
She said Mrs Bongo would be greatly remembered for her positive contributions to the fight against HIV/AIDS particularly, through the works of OAFLA.
She said as the first president of the OAFLA, Dr. Bongo’s secretariat formulated the constitution, the framework of Action and took part in the drafting of the first OAFLA strategic plan of 2002 to 2008.
Mrs. Mwanawasa said Mrs Bongo diligently carried out OAFLA activities under the Save the Unborn Child First Ladies Campaign among other things despite her ill health.
Mrs. Mwanawasa expressed her deepest condolences to Gabon President, Omar Bongo Ondimba, and wished him God’s strength during this trying moment.
Dr. Bongo was the first OAFLA president from 2002 to2004 and was succeeded by Mrs. Mwanawasa’s predecessor Jeanette Kagame of Rwanda in 2004.
ENDS/ZANIS/ENDS/SJK
Chabipa, sana but naema omar bongo aikalisha sana pakapuna kamaka
MOURN YOUR HUSBAND. EVERY DAY AT FUNCTIONS AND MAKING POLICY STATEMENTS. DID SHE EVEN LOVE THE GUY?
What of the Gabon Air Crash Report, when are we going to know the truth so we can re mourn the gallant patriots who perished off the coast of Gabon and to make matters worse, we had Diramba. we cannot forget easily bane
gallant daughter ? People please no disrespect to the dead but umunthu was married to a life long prez elo bawishi was a life long prez mu Rep. of Congo. Both countires Gabon & Congo are rich in minerals that its people dont even see, yet prez and family enjoy.
Edith Bongo was the daughter of President Denis Sassou Nguesso of neighbouring Republic of Congo, and represented Nguesso’s close alliance with Bongo, Africa’s longest-serving leader who has ruled Gabon since 1967.
Some French organizations are suing Omar Bongo for in embezzling his countries wealth which he has used to buy expensive villas in France.
BBC didnt not cover this story. This woman died 21 hrs ago and there is no coverage on her-I think because of wamuyaya ruling of hubby and Daddy.
Lisa, so what? Dr Bongo was not president of the two countries. Learn to appreciate the good work she did when she was alive!
You are entitled to your opinion and so am I.
LT, how about details of Mrs Bongo’s death, or is it assumed we know? Wud like to wish the Bongo family and the Gabonese poeple God’s guidance and strength.
Former Former Former First Lady Betty Kaunda and Former Former First Lady Vera Chiluba are not really heard by their titles, Betty and Vera are always referred to by their first names. Can i be educated. Looks like Ba Former First Lady Maureen ni kamuyaya.
By the way LT, NO statement from First Lady Thandiwe Banda?
You are right! She was suppose to speak first before Maureen!
Morning bloggers!!
I am sure LT reports News as it breaks out. They can not wait until our present first Lady or Our President make a statement.
May the Soul of Mrs Bongo rest in peace. Dr Maureen Mwanawasa is very much concerned about the efforts of fighting HIV and AIDS in Africa, so are we. Thanks for your concern Doc, please continue where Mrs Bongo left.
filyafine awaba uwaichefya yalibafye bwino.
Condolences to the Bongo family for this sad loss.
On “Mrs. Mwanawasa expressed her deepest condolences to Gabon President, Omar Bongo Ondimba, and wished him God’s strength during this trying moment”, this is really a humbling message and it shows that the bereaved Mrs Mwanawasa has concern over the people she worked with.
On the other note, I would like to read a message from the GRZ led by President RB Banda offering condolences to the Bongo family – sorry if I just seem to have missed this. Such a message will also carry enough weight if our current first lady Mrs Banda can say something to this effect.
How I wish late former President had appointed Mrs M. Mwanawasa as Veep.
I am sure such will have given us real continuity of the late Mwanawasa legacy. I hope some future Presidents of Zambia will consider such a would-be great option when appointing Veeps especially those people who have been to formal school like Mrs M. Mwanawasa who I presume is still studying her Masters Degree although there are un-clear news items which indicate that she has an honourary Doctorate Degree from some unknown place.
In any case, this has been very sad news to learn of the Gabon first family.
THANDIWE IS NOT INTERESTED IN THE TRAPPINGS OF POWER AND SENDING PREPOSTEROUS MESSAGES TO PEOPLE SHE DOESN’T KNOW.
you wont be missed and can you also invite your ka coleague ka shrewd grace mugabe to follow you maybe the people in the two countires will again enjoy the riches of their countries.
Why not get hitched with Omar bongo?
so that you can moan your loses together pleasurably!!!!
Just watched a video of Edith Bongo on Youtube, crazy stuff. Another young girl getting married to a man 27 years older than her.
w w w .youtube . com/watch?v=b3e601PzSCM&feature=related
Edith Bongo,just like her stupid Husband they demise is a blessing we failed to remove them from power;but by the power of Lord they are died not even the money they lotted can serve they souls,bitch rest in hell