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President Thabo Mbeki to Host Heads
of State of the Great Lakes Region
President Thabo Mbeki, as chair of the African Union,
will host a meeting of the Presidents of the DRC, Rwanda,
Uganda and Tanzania - Messrs. Joseph Kabila, Paul Kagame,
Yoweri Museveni, and Benjamin Mkapa respectively - on
Wednesday, 9 April 2003 in Cape Town.
The meeting will discuss ways of resolving escalating
intra- and inter-state conflict in the region as well
as findings of the investigation by the Third Party
Verification Mechanism(TPVM) into this situation.
The meeting follows renewed confidence and enthusiasm
in the continent of Africa generated by the recent signing
of the DRC Peace Agreement laying a basis for the formation
of a transitional government in DRC that there exists
a chance of resolving conflicts through dialogue rather
than resort to force, violence and war.
Deputy President Jacob Zuma's Visit to Belguim
Meanwhile, Deputy President Jacob Zuma, accompanied
by Deputy Minister Aziz Pahad will depart South Africa
on Wednesday, 9 April 2003 for Brussels for a meeting
Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign
Affairs Luis Michel to discuss the Burundi Peace Process.
This meeting follows the signing of the Cease-fire
Agreements with the Transitional Government of Burundi
on 7 October and 2 December 2002 to which three rebel
groups, the CNDD-FDD (Jean Bosco), PALIPEHUTU-FNL (Alain)
and the CNDD-FDD (Nkurunziza) were party.
The Cease-fire Agreements signed make provision for
the establishment of the Africa Mission to monitor and
supervise the implementation of the Agreements. The
effect of the African Mission will ensure the amalgamation
of all Armed Political Parties and Movements to the
transitional arrangements and consequently, to the drafting
of the new constitution of the country, and elections
For further information contact:
· Ronnie Mamoepa 082 990 4853
· Bheki Khumalo 083 256 9133
· Lakela Kaunda 082 782 2575
Issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001, 8 April 2003
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