Former President Jerry Rawlings charmed audiences at the recent inauguration of Dennis Sassou Nguesso for a new seven-year term as President of the Republic of Congo.
The ex-Ghanaian leader who represented President John Atta Mills at the commemoration astounded guests including colleague former presidents and sitting presidents by persuading leading South African politician, Winnie Madikizela Mandela to accompany him on stage to congratulate President Nguesso and his wife.
When the Master of Ceremonies announced Rawlings' turn to walk up the dais to greet the newly sworn in president and his wife, Rawlings stunned Winnie Mandela, former wife of Nelson Mandela, who was seated right behind him by drawing out his chair and inviting her to join him on stage. Winnie as she is affectionately called showed an initial surprise but accepted the invitation.
There was wild applause and approval from the MC as former President Rawlings and Winnie Mandela strode onto the stage and greeted the first couple of the Republic of Congo before standing by their side for the cameras.
Winnie, who is 70 next month, is currently a member of the powerful Executive Committee of the African National Congress (ANC) and previously headed the party's influential Women's League.
Ex-President Rawlings was later to explain he had invited Winnie because he felt she had been sidelined unjustifiably following her break-up with former South African President, Nelson Mandela. Rawlings said Winnie Mandela had championed the cause of liberation in South Africa during the apartheid years and her efforts cannot be ignored because she was no longer married to the leader of that cause, Nelson Mandela.
“It is important to restore her to the rightful position in African politics, from the depths they sent her.
“Inviting her on stage despite her humble resistance was to send a message across to all gathered and the world at large that our patriots have to be recognised no matter the flaws they have,” President Rawlings said.
Nguesso investiture
A section of dignitaries at the Dennis Sassou Nguesso
The ceremonies commemorating President Nguesso's investiture were impressive with a spectacular parade attended by African leaders, including Joseph Kabila of DR Congo, Yaye Kone of Benin, Blaise Compoare of Burkina Faso and Guillaume Soro of Cote d'Ivoire.
Former President Rawlings also took the opportunity to hold closed door talks with President Nguesso and other leaders who attended the ceremony.
During his meeting with President Nguesso the former Ghanaian President conveyed the felicitations of President Mills and the people of Ghana and discussed areas of political and economic collaboration between the two countries.
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