Joint Communiqué Issued on the Occasion of the State Visit By President Thabo Mbeki to the Democratic Republic of Congo on 13 and 14 January 2004

1. His Excellency President T M Mbeki, the President of the Republic of South Africa, paid a State Visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo on 13 and 14 January 2004 at the invitation of His Excellency President J Kabila of that country. This was the first State Visit by a South African Head of State to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

2. On this occasion, His Excellency President T M Mbeki was accompanied by the following Ministers:

Dr N C Dlamini Zuma - Minister of Foreign Affairs;
Mr A Erwin - Minister of Trade and Industry;
Mr F S Mufamadi - Minister of Provincial and Local Government;
Mr C Nqakula - Minister of Safety and Security;
Dr M E Tshabalala-Msimang - Minister of Health;
Ms G J Fraser-Moleketi - Minister of Public Service and Administration;
Ms S N Sigcau - Minister of Public Works; and
Ms N C M Routledge - Deputy Minister of Defence.

3. In addition, His Excellency President T M Mbeki was accompanied by a high level business delegation representing the following sectors:

Mining;
Electricity;
Postal communication;
Cellular communication;
Banking;
Transport;
Finance;
Agriculture;
Security; and
Information Technology (IT).

4. The State Visit formed part of efforts to build and consolidate sound and mutually beneficial relations between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of South Africa. The State Visit was preceded by two working visits by delegations of senior officials from South Africa to the Democratic Republic of the Congo from 16 to 18 December 2003 and from 5 to 8 January 2004. The purpose of these visits was to identify possible areas of co-operation between the two countries and to pave the way for the State Visit.

5. The two Heads of State took cognisance of the progress made by the Democratic Republic of the Congo towards peace, stability and security. Milestones, which stood out in this regard, were the signing of the All-Inclusive and Global Agreement on the Transition in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, agreement reached on the Transitional Constitutional for the country, the successful completion of the Inter-Congolese Dialogue and the establishment of a Transitional Government in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It was noted that the latter consists of representatives from the different groups, who were earlier involved in the conflict.

6. The highlight of the State Visit was the signing by the two Ministers of Foreign Affairs of a General Co-operation Agreement on 14 January 2004, whereby a Joint Bilateral Commission is established. This lays the foundation for greater co-operation between the two countries, covering a wide range of areas, i.e. political, defence and security, economic, finance and infrastructure as well as social and humanitarian issues.

7. It is realised by both parties that a stable and peaceful Democratic Republic of the Congo is critical for sustainable and durable peace and prosperity in the Great Lakes Region and the African continent as a whole. It is further recognised that the objectives of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) could be realised better in a peaceful and stable Democratic Republic of the Congo.

8. The two delegations acknowledged the potential and the future of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to become an economic powerhouse. In keeping with the vision of NEPAD of promoting intra-African trade, it is important that the governments of the two countries create an enabling environment for the business sector to function. It is believed that the increase in the volume of trade and investment between the two countries will contribute to the eradication of poverty and under development.

9. The two delegations further realised that the Inga hydro-electric power plant is one major project that has the potential to benefit the Democratic Republic of the Congo and four other countries in the region, namely Angola, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa. Apart from this, the Inga Dam has the further potential to provide in the energy needs of the entire region of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) as well as other regions of the world.

10. The Parties agreed to support the efforts of the United Nations Secretary-General in convening a conference on the Great Lakes Region, which will discuss issues related to peace, security and stability in the region, good governance, economic development and social and humanitarian issues. South Africa agreed to utilise bilateral, regional and multilateral fora to support the cause of peace in the Great Lakes Region.

11. The South African Government confirmed its willingness to assist with advice and support for the integration, mobilisation and restructuring of the armed forces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Members of the different armed groups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo were also called upon by both Governments to participate peacefully in these processes in an effort to reunite the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

12. The visiting President thanked his host and the Government of the Democratic
Republic of the Congo for their hospitality and the warm welcome extended to him and the South African delegation.