President Mbeki to hold Discussions with Ivorian Counterpart

Cape Town - South African President Thabo Mbeki will on Wednesday 19 March 2008 host his counterpart from the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire, President Laurent Gbagbo, for discussions in Cape Town.

President Gbagbo will pay a working visit to South Africa scheduled for Tuesday to Thursday, 18 - 20 March 2008.

President Mbeki will host the bilateral discussions within the context of continental efforts to assist the people of Cote d’Ivoire in their endeavour to consolidate the peace process in the country.

In this regard, President Gbagbo is expected to brief President Mbeki on among others:

• The status of the implementation of the Ouagadougou Peace Agreement;
• The national identification process;
• The DDR process; and
• Preparations for elections scheduled for later this year

President Gbagbo is expected to depart South Africa for Cote d’ Ivoire on Wednesday 19 March 2008.

Media programme for the working visit by the President of Côte d’Ivoire
Laurent Gbagbo at Tuynhuys, Cape Town on Wednesday 19 March 2008

Issued by Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001

18 March 2008