Washington, D.C. — In Africa there is a "deafening wall of silence on AIDS" that must be "broken," former Zambian president Kenneth Kaunda told a session of the Africa Forum 2000 at World Bank headquarters here. An "unneccessary stigma prevents testing, and discussing AIDS openly in Africa is not acceptable in many places, in fact, it's taboo." Mr. Kaunda warned, "If we don't break this dangerous wall it will destroy Africa."
The 1986 loss of his son Maguzgo to AIDS at age 30 first brought him into the fight against the disease which has taken the lives of tens of thousands in Zambia and millions in Africa. He became more active three months ago, organizing the Children of Africa Foundation to campaign against AIDS. "Four young people came up to me and said unless something was done about AIDS, Africa's young people would perish." It is registered in several African nations, Ireland and the United States. Kaunda hopes to use his influence to get African leaders to speak out more often and forcefully on AIDS and is already chalking up his first major victory with the support he won for his campaign at the meeting of SADC in Windhoek, Namibia this past August.
During a brief interview in a quiet corner of the auditorium after he finished speaking, Mr. Kaunda spoke softly. Part of the problem, he explained, is that AIDS is a "disease of shame." In the minds of many the result of "misbehavior." But he thinks the attitude that wants to sweep conversation and acknowledgement of it under the rug, is changing. He's determined to press the issue. "I've struggled for my country, against apartheid in South Africa. I was chairman of the OAU and of the Frontline States. I contributed to the best of my ability. And now I must continue with this struggle." When he left office, Mr. Kaunda said, he intended to "spend the rest of my life" researching peace and democracy issues.
Mr. Kaunda's somber attitude changed when asked about the recent Supreme Court decision restoring his Zambian citizenship. The petition of political opponents claiming he was Malawian and stripping him of Zambian citizenship had been upheld by the High Court several months ago. "That judge who decided to take my citizenship" Mr. Kaunda said, chuckling openly now, "was appointed by me when I was President."
