President Thabo Mbeki to Lead South African Delegation to Burundi Inauguration Ceremony

Tshwane-President and Mrs.Thabo Mbeki will on Friday 26 August 2005, jet out of South Africa for Burundi to join other African leaders in the Inauguration Ceremony of Burundian President-elect Pierre Nkurunziza, scheduled for the same day.

South Africa played a major role in facilitating talks between the main political protagonists in Burundi, as part of efforts to help find a political settlement among themselves in the best interests of the people of Burundi.

South Africa has done so not for glory nor distinction, but within the context of its stated commitment to promoting peaceful resolution of conflicts and an encouragement of post-conflict reconstruction and development both in Burundi and everywhere else in the continent of Africa.

On this historic occasion, South Africa pays tribute to the people of Burundi for restoring dignity on all Africans by demonstrating that Africans are indeed committed to moving away from politics of violent confrontation to peaceful resolution of conflicts.

In this regard, South Africa stands ready to assist the people of Burundi on the road towards peace and democracy as well as their reconstruction and development path. Let the light shine on the people of Burundi as they join nations of the world as an equal partner.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa 082-990-4853

Department of Foreign Affairs
P/Bag X152
Pretoria
0001
25 August 2005.