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Minister Dlamini Zuma to lead SA Delegation to Côte d'Ivoire Cape
Town - South African Foreign Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, will depart South
Africa on Thursday 7 September for Abidjan where she will lead a African delegation
to the meeting of the International Working Group on Cote d' Ivoire on Friday
8 September 2006 in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire Minister Dlamini Zuma's
participation in the IWG comes within the context of South Africa's commitment
to support the leadership and peoples of Côte d'Ivoire in their efforts
to find a political solution to their current political challenges. In this
regard, this session of the IWG follows the recent visit to Côte d'Ivoire
by South African Defence Minister Mosioua Lekota and Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz
Pahad as representatives of the mediator, President Thabo Mbeki in August. The
delegation held extensive discussions with President Gbagbo, Prime Minister Konan
Banny and the leadership of the FPI during which briefings were received regarding
the progress made in the implementation of the Roadmap and preparations for elections
as well as the challenges being experienced. The forthcoming session of
the IWG also comes ahead of the meeting to be convened by the United Nations Secretary-General,
Mr Kofi Annan, on the margins of the Sixty-first Session of the United Nations
General Assembly (UNGA) in September 2006. During this meeting the Secretary-General
and key roleplayers will consider reports by the Mediation and representatives
of the United Nations, the African Union, the European Union, International Monetary
Fund and the Independent Electoral Commission regarding the status of preparations
for the elections. The 10th session of the IWG will receive reports on
the: - Preparations for the scheduled elections on 30 October 2006;
- Progress
regarding the national certification issue; and
- Progress regarding the
DDR process including the integration of rebel forces into legitimate structures
and the disarmament of militias.
Upon conclusion of the visit to Cote
d' Ivoire, Minister Dlamini Zuma will proceed to Brazil ahead of President Thabo
Mbeki to attend the inaugural session of the historic strategic Summit of the
India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) scheduled for 12-13 September 2006. Issued
by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853 Department of Foreign Affairs
Private
Bag X152
Pretoria
0001 6 September 2006
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