Waris Dirie was appointed as Ambassador for Peace and Security in Africa by the Chairman of the African Union, Jean Ping, within the context of the Peace & Security Summit of the African Union. 2010 is the year of peace and security in Africa, the 21st of September 2010 is the African Peaceday.

Waris with the Chairman of the African Union, Jean Ping

Waris Dirie: „I am very honored that my African brothers and sisters award me with this high position. But this position means a lot of responsibility. I am from an african country, Somalia, which is affected by a horrible civil war since 20 years and it cannot find peace. With my new position I want to help to bring peace to Somalia. I am already working on a project for this and I will present the project in September.

But there is another, much worse war in Africa. A war against women. The name of this war is „Female Genital Mutilation“ and it affects millions of girls every year. More than 150 million of women are traumatized by this absurd war and suffer their whole lifes from the consequences. Therefore, I demand that the African governments and all the people in Africa end this war. I want and I will contribute.

I felt the spirit of a new era in Africa at our first meeting in Addis Ababa on the 16th of July. Now we need to use this spirit that the wonderful african continent is able to develop beauty and strength.“