Foreign Minister Dlamini Zuma to Visit Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, and Mali on 9 - 14 June 2006

Pretoria - The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, will on Friday 9 June 2006, lead a South African government delegation to Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo, to attend the African Union Ministerial Meeting, which will review the Lome Declaration on unconstitutional changes of governments in Africa and consider a draft Charter on democracy, elections and governance.

Minister Dlamini Zuma's visit to Brazzaville, comes within the context of South Africa's commitment to strengthening the AU and all its institutions, particularly with regards to the consolidation of Africa's renewal and a better world.

The two-day AU Ministerial Meeting will deliberate on the following:

• Comprehensive review of the Lome Declaration on unconstitutional changes of governments and submit concrete proposals for consideration by the Permanent Organ of the AU.
• Discuss the draft Charter on democracy, elections and governance.

Visit to Mali:

Minister Dlamini Zuma will on conclusion of the AU Ministerial Meeting on Sunday 10 June 2006 lead the South African government delegation to Bamako, the Republic of Mali, to attend the Femmes Africa Solidaire (FAS), a women's conference on gender, peace and security in Africa (10-14 June 2006).

At the FAS Conference, Minister Dlamini Zuma will deliver a keynote address on the theme "Capitalising on Years of Women's Experience".

Foreign Minister Dlamini Zuma is expected to return to South Africa on 15 June 2006 ahead of the 30th Anniversary Celebration of the June 16th Student Uprisings.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001

08 June 2006