Minister Dlamini Zuma attends African Union Peace and Security Council Meeting on Sudan

New York - South African Foreign Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma will on Monday 18 September 2006 lead a South African delegation to the African Union Peace and Security Council meeting on the situation in Sudan in New York, United States of America.

Minister Dlamini Zuma will be in New York, as part of the South African delegation led by President Thabo Mbeki, to the 61st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

South Africa is committed to consolidating the African agenda through the promotion of post conflict reconstruction and development initiatives.

Accordingly, Minister Dlamini Zuma will participate in this meeting in her capacity as Chair of the African Union (AU) Committee on Post-Conflict Reconstruction of Sudan.

The AU Peace and Security Council meeting is expected to review the situation in Darfur and consider the mandate of the African Mission in Sudan (AMIS).

This meeting is convened following the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1706 of 2006 on 31 August 2006 that calls for the expansion of the UN mission in Sudan (UNMIS) from the current 10 000 to 17,300 troops and an additional 3000 civilian police. The Resolution further urges the Government of Sudan to accept the deployment of a UN force under Chapter VII mandate. Part of the new force will be sent to Darfur to monitor the implementation of the peace agreement signed in Abuja, Nigeria on 5 May 2006.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001

17 September 2006