Statement of the Government of the Republic of South Africa Congratulation to Hon Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar'Adua on his Election as President Elect of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, April 25, 2007

President Thabo Mbeki has, on behalf of the Government and people of the Republic of South Africa congratulated Nigeria's President elect, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, on his election as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

In his congratulatory letter to the Hon Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, President Mbeki expressed South Africa's intention to continue to forge closer working relations between the two countries and to build a better Africa and the world.

President Mbeki additionally expressed his concurrence with the ECOWAS Observer Mission when it implored on the Nigerian electorate, political parties and candidates to use "exclusively peaceful and constitutional means to seek redress to any electoral grievances that may arise."

The ECOWAS statement with which President Mbeki is in agreement also said: "the Nigerian authorities (should) empower the electoral tribunals to fast-track the resolution of all complaints with a view to ensuring the speedy resolution of all disputes arising from the elections."

Finally, President Mbeki assured Nigeria of South Africa's readiness to extend a hand of solidarity with the people of Nigeria and wished the Hon Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar'Adua well in his endeavours.

Issued by Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001

For more information, please contact: Ronny Mamoepa, Spokesperson for Minister Dlamini Zuma, on: +27 82 990 4853