|
Minister Charles Nqakula to Visit Tanzania as Mediator of Burundi
Peace Process Pretoria: South African Minister of Safety and Security, Charles
Nqakula, Facilitator of the Burundi Peace Process will on Sunday, 28 May 2006
depart for Tanzania as part of ongoing consultations with leaders of the region
with a view to facilitating the peace process in Burundi The visit to Tanzania
will be Minister Nqakula's second visit since his appointment as Facilitator.
On the 10th May 2006, Minister Nqakula visited Uganda, Tanzania and Burundi where
he consulted role - players on the way forward to the Peace Process. During his
last visit to the Great Lakes, a Regional Technical Team was established to provide
support to the Facilitator. Whilst in Tanzania, Minister Charles Nqakula
is expected to participate in a regional meeting which will be attended by among
others President Jakaya Kikwete from Tanzania, President Pierre Nkurunziza of
Burundi, the United Nations Operations in Burundi (ONUB), the African Union and
the PALIPEHUTU - FNL. Issues on the agenda will include: - Implementation
of the Cease-fire Agreements and other related Agreements.
- Pursuit of
negotiations by all role - players in the Burundi Peace Process.
- Mechanisms
aimed at ending the conflict that will bring about normalcy, politically and militarily.
Minister
Nqakula is expected to return to South Africa on the 30th May 2006.
South
Africa reiterates its commitment to working with the regional leadership of the
African Union, the government and the people of Burundi, the PALIPEHUTU - FNL
in their efforts to find a sustainable solution to their current political challenges
aimed at bringing lasting peace to Burundi. The South African government
remains optimistic about the prospects for lasting peace in Burundi and commends
all parties for their commitment to bringing about a lasting peace to their country.
For more information, contact Ronnie Mamoepa at 082 990 4853 Issued
by the Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag x 152
Pretoria
0001
25 May 2006
| 
