President Mbeki Arrives in Ethiopia Ahead of African Union Summit of Heads of State and Government

Pretoria – South African President Thabo Mbeki today Tuesday 29 January 2008 touched down in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia where he will lead a South African delegation including Foreign Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and Trade and Industry Minister Mandisi Mpahlwa at the African Union Summit of Heads of State and Government scheduled from Thursday – Saturday 31 January – 2 February 2008.

The African Union Summit of Heads of State and Government will be held under the banner, “Industrialisation in Africa,” and will be preceded by a NEPAD Heads of State and Government Implementation Committee Meeting and African Peer Review Forum on Wednesday 30 January 2008 to which President Thabo Mbeki will lead his senior government delegation.

Heads of State and Government will:

• Consider the Report of the Executive Council on the Audit of the Union and the Report of the Ministerial Committee on the Union Government
• Elect and appoint the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the Commission;
• Consider the appointment of the Commissioners;
• Consider the appointment of the Members of the Peace and Security Council; and
• Adopt the Budget for 2008.

Heads of State will also receive reports on the:

• Activities of the Peace and Security Council and the State of  Peace and Security in Africa and;
• Chairperson of NEPAD Heads of State and Government Implementation Committee.

Heads of State and Government will also debate the proposed participation of the African Diaspora as an Observer in the Assemblies of the African Union.

President Thabo Mbeki is expected to return to South Africa on Sunday 3 February 2008.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001

29 January 2008