African leaders and heads of state converged at Nouakchott, Mauritania to rename an avenue after South Africa’s icon Nelson Mandela at the 31st African Union Summit.
The event is in celebration of Mandela’s centenary: 2018 marks 100 years since Mandela was born. It was presided by Presidents Cyril Ramaphosa (South Africa), Paul Kagame (Rwanda) and Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz (Mauritania).
Happening now on the sidelines of the @_AfricanUnion‘s 31st #AUSummit in Mauritania. Presidents of #Rwanda (also chair of the AU) #SouthAfrica & #Mauritania are renaming an avenue after independence struggle icon & former SA president #NelsonMandela, in the year of his centenary pic.twitter.com/kV1uBMKAuW
— African Union (@_AfricanUnion) July 2, 2018
The newly-named street is adjacent to a street named after Mauritania’s first President, Moktar Ould Daddah.
The move has been seen as significant both in the country and in Africa. There are plans to rename a new convention centre in the capital after Mandela as a way to honour the icon for his contribution to peace and reconciliation.
