President signs Foreign Ministry

Maldives Ministry of Foreign Affairs has opened a book of remembrance for the late former president of South Africa Nelson Mandela, who passed away last Thursday.

The book was inaugurated and signed by President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom at a ceremony held at the ministry this morning. Vice President Dr Mohamed Jameel Ahmed, Minister at the President’s Office Abdulla Ameen and the South African Ambassador to the Maldives also signed the book today.

Nobel peace laureate Nelson Mandela passed away at the age of 95. Mandela spent almost three months in a Pretoria hospital after being admitted in June with a recurring lung infection from which he never recovered. Mandela was then discharged in September and received home-based medical attention.

South Africa's first black president, Nelson Mandela is remembered for his work in the anti-apartheid movement and for fostering racial reconciliation in South Africa.

South Africa is preparing for the arrival of a flood of world leaders for Nelson Mandela’s funeral, which is to be held on 15 December.