Nairobi — The organisation of the African First ladies against Aids has resolved to combat and destigmatize the Aids pandemic and bring down the levels of infection in Africa.

Meeting in Maputo, Mozambique on the sidelines of the on-going second ordinary session of the assembly of heads of state and government of the African Union, the first ladies resolved to make their organisation more practical than ideological.

The President of the organisation, Mrs Edith Lucy Omar Bongo of Gabon said mobilisation of both financial and material resources would take precedence in their agenda.

She lauded the continental and international efforts already made in combating HIV/Aids in Africa but hastened to add that a lot was still required if the scourge was to be put at bay.

Kenya's first lady Mrs Lucy Kibaki formally became a member of the organisation by signing the framework of action for the African First ladies against HIV/Aids during the conference held at Rovuma Hotel in Maputo.