This was during a working lunch organised by the Association of Spouses of African Ambassadors in Belgium yesterday April 2.

The First Lady of Cameroon, Mrs Chantal Biya yesterday April 2, 2014 at the capital city of Belgium was amongst five African First Ladies honoured with a diploma of recognition for their solidarity and humanitarian actions carried out in their different countries. On the certificate of recognition was written: First Lady of Cameroon, Mrs Chantal Biya, Honorary Matron of the Association of Spouses of African Ambassadors in Belgium (ASAAB). Amidst applause and snapshots, Mrs Chantal Biya received her diploma from the hands of the wife of the Tanzania Ambassador to Belgium. The Chief of Protocol at the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Pierre Labouverie, in the name of the Belgian Government was honoured to welcome the First Ladies.

The event which took place at one of the luxurious hotels in Brussels was organised within the sideline of the 4th European Union (EU)-Africa Summit which is on-going in Brussels, by the Association of Spouses of African Ambassadors accredited to Belgium. Amongst the other First Ladies who received a diploma of recognition were the First Lady of Congo Brazzaville, Tanzania, Madagascar and the Queen of Swaziland.

Created last year November, the President of ASAAB, Mrs Perseveranda Mangue Nvono De Nca, who is the wife of the Equatorial Guinea Ambassador to Belgium said the purpose of the association is to give a glimpse of the African continent from the point of view of women, to promote relations between African countries which are accredited to Belgium, to create a platform to talk about the challenges faced in the continent and to organise events aimed at raising money for social projects in Africa. The Association of Spouses of African Ambassadors in Belgium is an informal, independent and non-profit association.

Mangue Nvono De Nca said today, the African continent is known for poverty, insecurity, health problems and injustice. “But Africa is not limited to all this” she underlined. According to ASAAB President, Africa is a synonym of solidarity, cooperation and generosity amongst other things. Being a young association, Mangue Nvono De Nca said they need the support of their mothers. With the positive reaction from the First Ladies, Mangue Nvono De Nca thanked the First Spouses for their generosity, support and confidence they have on the African women.

Speaking on behalf of the First Ladies, Antoinette Sassou-Nguesso, First Lady of Congo-Brazzaville expressed gratitude to ASAAB members and noted that it was a rare moment for wives of African ambassadors to call them together for discussions that aim at improving not only the image of Africa, but also its citizens. Antoinette Sassou-Nguesso reassured the women of the modest contribution from the First Ladies while adding that they will show an attentive ear in addressing the problems of their various populations.

This diploma to the First Lady of Cameroon comes to acknowledge her tireless actions through her associations such as the Circle of Friends of Cameroon (CERAC) and the African Synergy Against AIDS and Suffering in improving the living conditions of the most vulnerable group of people in Cameroon and beyond.