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President Thabo Mbeki to Lead South African delegation to Ivory
Coast and AU Peace and Security Delegation Council Meetings in Gabon, Sunday,
9 - Tuesday, 11 January 2005 Pretoria - South African President Thabo Mbeki,
accompanied by Minister of Defence, Mosiuoa Lekota and Deputy Foreign Minister,
Aziz Pahad, will visit Ivory Coast on Sunday, 9 January 2005, as part of his African
Union (AU) and ECOWAS mandate to assist the people of Cote d'Ivoire find a political
solution to the country's current challenges. In this regard, during the
visit President Mbeki is expected to hold discussions with, among others, President
of the Ivory Coast, Laurent Gbagbo and Prime Minister Seydou Diarra in Abidjan
on Sunday, 9 January 2005. The principal objective of the visit is to review
progress in the implementation of the roadmap developed by all parties in the
Ivory Coast following consultations with President Mbeki since 9 November 2004. On
conclusion of his visit to the Ivory Coast, President Mbeki will proceed to Libreville,
Gabon where he will lead his delegation to the Summit of the AU Peace and Security
Council from Monday - Tuesday, 10 -11 January 2005. President Mbeki will brief
the Council on his discussions with all role players in the Ivory Coast conflict
and the status of implementation of the roadmap. Issues on the agenda of
the Summit will also include the situation in the Great Lakes region, and the
Sudan. With regard to the Sudan the Summit will receive a report on the various
peace processes including the recently concluded Naivasha Agreement and the Abuja
Peace process. In addition, the Peace and Security Council will also review progress
regarding the peace process in the Great Lakes region. While in Gabon President
Mbeki will also have an opportunity to attend the AU Heads of State and Government
Committee on the Non-Aggression and Common Defence Pact during which the draft
Non-Aggression Pact will be debated. Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990
4853.
Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001
6
January 2005
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