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President Mbeki Facilitates Agreement
in Comoros
Yet another milestone has been reached in efforts aimed
at Africa's Renewal with the signing of an agreement
by Comorean political parties on Saturday 20 December
2003 under the auspices of the African Union.
The agreement, facilitated under the Chairpersonship
of President Thabo Mbeki will help create a climate
conducive for the holding of free and fair parliamentary
elections in the autonomous islands and the mainland.
President Thabo Mbeki, accompanied by the Minister
of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, led
a delegation of the AU's Countries of the Region which
included South Africa, Magadascar, Tanzania, Mauritius,
Mozambique to assist the people of Comores to unlock
the logjam obstructing the holding of free and fair
parliamentary elections.
The agreement was witnessed by among others representatives
of France, Prime Minister of Mauritius, Prime Minister
of Madagascar, Head of the Francophonie Mr. Diouf and
Ambassador Kahn, Special envoy and representative of
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan,
The Comorean parties agreed to the holding of parliamentary
elections within 4 months from the signing of the agreement,
establishment of a new customs regime, management of
an interim budget, security measures before and during
the elections.
The South African Government congratulates the government
and people of the Comores for the signing of the agreement.
In this regard, the SA government expresses its gratitude
to all members of the delegation of the AU Countries
of the Region and their senior government officials
who toiled so long and hard to assist the people of
Comores in finding a solution to their country's political
challenges.
Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa at 082-990-4853
Department of Foreign Affairs
P/Bag X152
Pretoria
0001
21 December 2003.
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