Foreign Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma Concludes Visit to the USA Ahead of Visit to Côte d'Ivoire

New York - South African Foreign Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma concludes her visit to the United States today Friday 13 January 2006 ahead of visit to Côte d'Ivoire to attend the third meeting of the Ministerial International Working Group on Côte d'Ivoire on Sunday, 15 January 2006 in Abidjan.

Minister Dlamini Zuma was in the United States of America where she handed over, on behalf of the government of South Africa, a cheque of R2 million to victims of Hurricane Katrina and assumed on behalf of South Africa the chairperson of the Group of 77 (G-77).

The visit to Cote d'Ivoire takes place within the context of the appointment of a new Prime Minister last year, Charles Konan Banny and the formation of a new Cabinet on 28 December 2005, following an African Union (AU) mediation process by Presidents Thabo Mbeki, Olusegun Obasanjo and Mamedou Tandja.

The Ministerial International Working Group on Côte d'Ivoire, comprises Nigeria, South Africa, Benin, Ghana, Niger, France, United States, Britain, the International Monetary Fund, World Bank, European Union, African Union and ECOWAS.

The Ministerial Group is tasked with evaluating, controlling and monitoring the implementation of the Ivorian Peace Process.

Minister Dlamini Zuma will depart from Côte d'Ivoire on Monday, 16 January 2006 for Liberia where she will join the delegation led by President Thabo Mbeki at the inauguration of Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Department of Foreign Affairs
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13 January 2006