President Thabo Mbeki to Visit Sudan for Talks with Sudanese President and Vice-President

Pretoria - South African President Thabo Mbeki, supported by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma will visit Sudan on Tuesday 20 June 2006 where he is expected to hold discussions with Sudanese President Omar Hasan Ahmad al-Bashir and Vice President Salva Kirr respectively.

President Mbeki's visit to Sudan comes within the context of South Africa's stated commitment to consolidate the African agenda through the successful implementation of peace processes. In this regard, South African Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma is the Chairperson of the African Union's Post-Conflict and Reconstruction Committee in Sudan.

Discussions between President Mbeki and Sudanese President Omar Hasan Ahmad al-Bashir on the one hand and with Vice President Salva Kirr on the other are expected to look at challenges experienced by roleplayers in the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).

South Africa, in partnership with UNISA, is involved in a Capacity and Institution Building Project to assist in the development of Southern Sudan as outlined in the CPA. The Project aims to increase capacity within the Government of Southern Sudan so that it may interact with the National Congress Party (NCP) within the context of the Government of National Unity (GNU). In addition, SA currently has 437 troops as part of the AU force in Sudan/Darfur to support the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).

President Thabo Mbeki and Minister Dlamini Zuma are expected to return to South Africa on Wednesday, 21 June 2006 ahead of the official visit of the Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao to South Africa, scheduled for Tuynhuys in Cape Town later that day.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001

19 June 2006