|
President Thabo Mbeki to witness signing of Naivasha Agreement
in Kenya, Friday, 31 December 2004 Khartoum - South African President Thabo
Mbeki will depart Khartoum on Friday - 31 December 2004 - for Naivasha, Kenya
to witness the signing of the Comprehensive Ceasefire Agreement and the Modalities
for Implementation between the Government of Sudan and the Sudanese People's Liberation
Movement (SPLM). President Mbeki's delegation to Kenya will include Ministers
of Foreign Affairs and Defence, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and Mosiuoa Lekota respectively. The
signing of the Naivasha Agreement will herald a new dawn in Sudan's political
and economic development bringing to an end Africa's longest running civil war
and paving the way for reconstruction and development in Sudan. Peace in
Africa's largest country will not only be a victory for the people of the Sudan
but also demonstrates the political will of the African leadership through the
AU to create the conditions for peace, security and stability on the continent.
In this context the efforts of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development
(IGAD) under the leadership of Kenya is welcomed and further encouraged. The
end of the conflict in the Sudan will now enable the African continent through
the African Union (AU) Committee on Post-Conflict Reconstruction of the Sudan,
chaired by South Africa to now focus on socio-economic development in Sudan. President
Mbeki and his delegation is scheduled to return to Khartoum on Friday, 31 December
whereupon he will continue his official visit. Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa 0829904853 31
December 2004. | 
