Joint Communiqué on the Visit of H.E. Mr Jacob Zuma Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa to the Kingdom of Belgium Working Session with H.E. Mr Louis Michel Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Thursday, 10 April 2003

1. On the occasion of his working visit to Belgium, the Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr Jacob ZUMA, was received by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Louis MICHEL, on Thursday, 10 April 2003, for a working session on the peace processes in the Great Lakes Region and in particular on Burundi and the DRC.

2. With regard to Burundi, efforts by Deputy President ZUMA have resulted in ceasefire agreements between the armed groups and the Transitional Government. In terms of the Arusha Peace Agreement, President Buyoya is expected to step down at the conclusion of his 18 month period. Mr Dometian Ndayizeye will take over as President of the Transitional Government.

3. At the same time Mr MICHEL has been actively supporting the peace process in Burundi, either directly or through initiatives to restore peace and stability in the region. To this end, he has made several visits to the region, the most recent to Burundi having taken place in January 2003. Mr MICHEL has also drummed up international support for the peace process, in particular within the European Union and International financial institutions.

4. During their meeting, Deputy President ZUMA and Deputy Prime Minister MICHEL reaffirmed their commitment to peace and security in Burundi in order to guarantee the well being of a population that has suffered from civil strife for too long.

5. Both leaders welcomed the courage of Burundi's political leadership to work together in ensuring a smooth transition to the Presidential handover slated for 1 May 2003. They reaffirmed the support of South Africa and of Belgium to the new Head of State and to institutions of the second phase of the transition. In their efforts to implement the reforms of the Arusha Peace Agreement and in their search for a global and all-inclusive ceasefire, Mr ZUMA and Mr MICHEL also paid tribute to the sense of duty of the nation as demonstrated by President BUYOYA.

6. Both leaders condemned the massacre in the Ituri province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and, at this crucial moment for lasting peace in the country and in the region, call upon all parties not to miss this historic moment. They make a particular appeal to the Palipehutu-FNL led by Agathon RWASA in Burundi to stop all fighting and to join the dynamics of the negotiated peace.

7. Deputy President ZUMA will continue his efforts within the international community, and in particular within the African Union and the United Nations to facilitate the rapid implementation of the mechanisms of the Ceasefire Agreement. In this respect, Deputy Prime Minister MICHEL informed his interlocutor of the two decisions taken by the Council of Ministers on 4 April to allocate the amount of 1 million Euros towards the deployment of the African Mission Force as specified in the Ceasefire Agreement.

8. Both leaders noted the challenges ahead in the Burundi peace process and in particular the disarmament, demobilization and re-integration of the armed groups into society, including the reform of the security forces.

9. In conclusion, both leaders agreed to continue their exchanges on the peace process in Central Africa on a regular basis and to strengthen cooperation and consultations in this regard.

For more information, please contact Lakela Kaunda at 0827822575.
Done in Brussels, Thursday, 10 April 2003.