Wednesday, October 21, 2009 

Nelson Mandela Foundation Accuses Congo President Over Fake Foreword

The Nelson Mandela Foundation has threatened legal action against the president of Congo-Brazzaville after discovering he claimed the foreword of his new book had been penned by the anti-apartheid leader. 

The cover of Straight Speaking for Africa by President Denis Sassou-Nguesso proudly proclaims "Foreword by Nelson Mandela". Inside, Mr Mandela. 91, is purported to hail a man who came to power in a coup in 1979 and after losing elections regained power by winning a civil war as "one of our great African leaders".

But the anti-apartheid leader’s foundation, which guards his legacy, said in a statement: "This is a false claim.

"Mr Mandela has neither read the book nor written a foreword for it. We condemn this brazen abuse of Mr Mandela’s name." 

CREDIT  – telegraph.co.uk