Rawlings Visits Swaziland

Former President Rawlings is in Swaziland as part of a UN mission to African countries adversely affected by the HIV/AIDS scourge. The former President who arrived in Swaziland on Sunday has held discussions with various officials, including Prime Minister Sibusiso Dlamini on measures to intensify the fight against the spread of HIV and AIDS in the country.

He warned Swazis to practice safe sexual relationships and use condoms to avoid infections. Flt Lt Rawlings is expected to meet with the Swazi King, Mswati III before he leaves the country on Thursday. Swaziland is one of the worst hit HIV/AIDS countries with almost 250,000 of its one million population infected with the virus.

The two men are expected to hold discussions on the King(quote)s Royal Initiative to Combat Aids (RICA), which the monarch launched in the United States, last year. Renowned singers such as Michael Jackson have recorded three songs as part of the RICA project, which is aimed at raising funds, not only for Swaziland, but for the entire African continent. The former President is due to address a public meeting on HIV/AIDS on Wednesday morning in the tourist resort area of Ezulwini.