President Thabo Mbeki to visit Ivory Coast - Wednesday 10 November 2004

President Thabo Mbeki, who was requested by the African Union in consultation with the leadership of the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) to assist in bringing about a political solution to the current challenges facing Cote d' Ivoire, will visit the country on Wednesday 10 November 2004.

President Mbeki, will be accompanied on the AU/ECOWAS mission by South Africa's Defence Minister Mosiua Lekota and Foreign Affairs Deputy Minister Aziz Pahad.

The decision to request President Mbeki to undertake this urgent task was reached on Saturday during a joint meeting of the African Union and Ecowas held in Nigeria, following which President Mbeki held consultations with the leadership of Ecowas.

SA's humble acceptance of this mandate is consistent with its ongoing desire to find political solutions to conflict situations in the continent of Africa. To that end, we remain committed to working closely with the AU, Ecowas and the leadership of Cote d' Ivoire with a view to assisting the people of Cote d' Ivoire to develop a political solution to the current challenges.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa (082-990-4853 and Bheki Khumalo (083-256-9133)

Presidency/Department of Foreign Affairs
Pretoria
0001

08 November 2004