Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt will Friday open a condolence book for former United Nations Secretary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali at Egypt House in Lilongwe.
Ghali, an Egyptian, died Tuesday February 16 in his homeland at the age of 93. He became the first UN Secretary General from African when he ascended to the position from January, 1992 to December 1996.
According to the Embassy, officials and heads of diplomatic missions and international organisations and all people who want to express solidarity are invited to the ceremony on Friday morning.
Meanwhile, Egyptian Ambassador to Malawi Maher El-Adawy, expressed his deepest condolences following the passing of one of African giant and charismatic diplomats.
El-Adawy described Ghali as an African and Egyptian icon for over half a century in his different portfolios as a political science professor at Cairo University, top Egyptian diplomat who was a staunch supporter of President Anwar Sadat’s peace initiative with Israel, and as the first African UN Secretary-General.
“The efforts and sacrifices made by Boutros-Ghali for his country represented a peerless role model that generations upon generations will look to as an example of patriotism.
“He was a defender of Africa proud of his belonging to his continent and a believer in the right of its peoples to freedom, justice and prosperity. He built bridges between Africa and the world, and through him the world learned of the valiant positions and lofty principles of African and Egyptian diplomacy,” El-Adawy said.
The Ambassador described Ghali as a symbol for Africa and his legacy will inspire generations of young people to continue to believe and fight for the continent.
In his tribute, Current United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon said the UN community will mourn a memorable leader who rendered invaluable services to world peace and international order.
“As Secretary-General, he presided over a dramatic rise in UN peacekeeping. He also presided over a time when the world increasingly turned to the United Nations for solutions to its problems, in the immediate aftermath of the cold war,” Ban said in a statement.
Ghali was born on November 14, 1922 and served in many positions including Deputy Prime minister of Egypt and head of many international, African organizations.
