22 January, 2015
RE:  CONDOLENCE MESSAGE – LINDA MOSSOP
The Chairman of the Governing Council of the African Forest Forum, on behalf of all members of the African Forest Forum, and on his own behalf, wishes to express our heartfelt sympathy and regret for the loss of one of our illustrious and eminent founding member of the organization, Ms. Linda Mossop. Her death was a rude shock to the organization, more so when one considers the fact that she represented the organization in the recently concluded meeting of Adhoc Expert Group of the United Nations Forum on Forests in New York from 12th to 16th January 2015.
Linda was a very active member of the Forum and was indeed the chairperson of one of the powerful committees of the organization, the Technical Support Team to International and Regional Negotiations that assists and guides the Forum in providing logistic and technical support to the African Group and the Group of G77 and China at negotiating sessions of the United Nations Forum on Forests and other international forestry related dialogues. In this regard, she contributed in no small way, in building the capacity and reputation of the African Group in these international negotiations and related forestry debates.
Linda was also a very active member of the Governing Council of the African Forest Forum where she contributed positively in all activities of the Council, including rendering her brilliant legal experience to guide the Council in taking decisions. We shall definitely miss her excellent work ethics, inspiration and drive as she pursued any assignment to logical conclusion through her determination and drive. She was jovial, as well as an embodiment of friendliness, and respected the feelings of others. She was a team worker, amiable, and of impeccable character. We shall continue to remember her for all these sterling qualities with which she was endowed. It is our belief that the African forestry fraternity will always remember her for her contribution to forestry development in Africa and the world in general.
On behalf of the over 1000 members of the African Forest Forum, I wish to express once again our heartfelt sympathy to the family, at this time of great grief and sorrow, and request that the family accepts our deep condolences for the call to higher glory of our dear sister and friend, Linda Mossop. We shall all definitely miss her. May the Almighty God give you the strength to bear this loss.
We pray that her gentle soul rest in perfect peace.
                                                                                   
                                                                                    M.A. Oyebo
                                                                                    Chairman,
                                                                                    Governing Council,
                                                                                    African Forest Forum