Minister Dlamini Zuma Cancels Visit to Gabon to Visit Sudan

Tshwane - South African Foreign Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma earlier today, Tuesday 2 August 2005, departed South Africa on a visit to Sudan in her capacity as the Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Committee on Post-Conflict Reconstruction.

Minister Dlamini Zuma was earlier expected to accompany President Mbeki on the current state visit to Gabon.

Coming in the wake of the death of Sudanese Vice President John Garang over the weekend, the visit will provide Minister Dlamini Zuma with an opportunity to convey President Thabo Mbeki's message of condolences to the Sudanese national leadership during this trying moments of grief and bereavement.

The AU Committee on Post-Conflict Reconstruction of the War-Affected Areas in Sudan has been tasked with the responsibility of assessing the needs of post-conflict challenges, organisation of African support for post-conflict reconstruction efforts and mobilisation of the international community including the World Bank and other financial institutions behind the reconstruction efforts.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853
Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001
2 August 2005