The Countess of Wessex has become the first member of the British Royal Family to visit the Democratic Republic of the Congo with her visit this week.
Sophie is in the African country on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and aims to address “the devastating impact of sexual and gender based violence in conflict, while supporting and empowering survivors and tackling the stigma they face,” according to Buckingham Palace.
The Countess arrived in South Kivu to meet representatives of TRAIL International, an organisation that focuses on fighting “impunity for international crimes in conflict, and supporting survivors.”
She has been joined by Lord Ahmad, the Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict and the Minister of State for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
The Countess of Wessex also met with Governor Theo Ngwabije, who runs the South Kivu province, during their visit with representatives.
Later, Sophie paid a visit to The Pole Pole Foundation, which was an Earthshot Prize finalist last year, and which works to protect the Kahuzi Biega National Park’s gorilla population from poachers. The Foundation also works with the local community to find other livelihoods than poaching.
During the visit, Sophie met with the Foundation’s leader, John Kahekwa Munihuzi. She also received a special name, Umoja Mama Louise, which is a gift from the Congolese people to visitors. Umoja is the Swahili word for ‘Unity’ and Mama designates that Sophie is a mother. When these names are bestowed, the honouree uses the name of their first-born child, which in Sophie’s case is Lady Louise.
Sophie then planted a commemorative tree with a plaque listing her name, Umoja Mama Louise, to mark her visit.
Sophie’s visit comes ahead of the International Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative Conference in London next month, which she will also attend. Her visit to the Democratic Republic of the Congo has been planned for a while, according to Buckingham Palace, before Queen Elizabeth II’s death last month.
