Final Communiqué of the Ministerial Review Working Session on the Recommendations of the 5th Bi-National Commission between South Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo

1. In conformity with the wishes expressed by their Excellencies Mr Joseph Kabila Kabange, President of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mr Thabo Mbeki, President of the Republic of South Africa, during the Fifth Session of the DRC-RSA Bi-National Commission held in Pretoria on 3 April 2008, a Ministerial evaluation meeting on the implementation of commitments made by the two parties at that session, was held in Kinshasa from 4–7 August 2008.

2. The Ministerial delegation of the Republic of South Africa, consisting of seven Ministers, was led by Ms Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi, Minister of Public Service and Administration.

3. The Congolese Ministerial delegation consisted of seven Ministers and two Deputy Ministers, led by Mr Antipas MBUSA NYAMWISI, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

4. During the course of the meeting, particular emphasis was placed on the state of implementation of the existing cooperation projects between the two parties, covering the following areas of cooperation:
   
   
   1. -Politics, Diplomacy and Governance
   2. -Defence and Security
   3. -Economy, Finance and Infrastructure
   4. -Social and Humanitarian Affairs
      
      
5. Concerning the implementation of commitments made at the Fifth Session of the DRC-RSA Joint Commission, it was observed that significant progress has been made, especially in the field of institutional capacity development and training in most of the sectors of cooperation.
   
   
6. Moreover, while recognising progress in resource mobilisation for the different cooperation projects, the parties renewed their determination to explore all possible avenues, including cooperation with third parties, to acquire skills and financing for the materialisation of all the projects with the aim of fulfilling the expectations of the two Heads of State.

7. In order to achieve this, the two parties agreed to ensure the optimal functioning of the follow-up and coordination mechanism for the implementation of the projects, by placing emphasis on the focal points identified in the different areas of cooperation.

8. Concerning the Economy, Finance and Infrastructure Commission, the two parties suggested that the members of this Commission meet before the Sixth Session of the Bi-National Commission in order to programme actions likely to lead to tangible outputs that should be presented to the Heads of State during the above-mentioned session.

9. During the meeting the South African party expressed its appreciation to the Congolese party for the warm welcome, friendship and hospitality bestowed upon them during their stay in the DRC.

10. The 6th Ordinary Session of the DRC-RSA Joint Commission will be held in Kinshasa at the end of October 2008 under the guidance of the two Heads of State.

Done in Kinshasa
7 August 2008

Issued by Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001

08 August 2008