Minister Dlamini Zuma to lead South African Delegation to the African Union's Peace and Security Council Meeting, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 10 March 2006

Tshwane - South African Foreign Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma will depart South Africa on Thursday 9 March 2006 for Addis Ababa where she will lead a South African government delegation to the African Union's (AU's) Peace and Security Council meeting in Ethiopia scheduled for Friday, 10 March 2006.

The Peace and Security Council is expected to deliberate on the proposed transition of the African Mission in Sudan (AMIS) to a United Nations (UN) operation.

As Chair of the African Union Committee on Post-Conflict Reconstruction in Sudan, Minister Dlamini Zuma's participation in this session of the Council meeting comes within the context of South Africa's stated commitment to promote the peaceful resolution of conflicts and to encourage post-conflict reconstruction and development.

In early July 2004, the African Union deployed an African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) to monitor compliance with the Darfur Humanitarian Cease-fire Agreement, signed in April 2004 between the eastern rebel movements and the Government of Sudan (GoS).

Despite a significant contribution towards the achievement of this mandate, the African Union still requires mobilisation of adequate financial resources to sustain the operation of the AMIS. In this context, the African Union Council will therefore deliberate on the way forward for the AMIS.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853.

Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Tshwane
0001

8 March 2006