Minister Dlamini Zuma to host SADC Ministers of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Co-operation, Durban, 18 July 2008

Pretoria – At the request of the Chair of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Co-operation, South African Foreign Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma will, on behalf of the South African government, host a Ministerial meeting of the Organ at the Durban International Conference Centre scheduled from Friday – Saturday 18-19 July 2008.

The meeting will be chaired by Angola as the current Chair of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Co-operation and will seek to consolidate all the work of the Organ regarding political and security issues in the region.

The meeting is expected among others to prepare a report for the Chair of the Organ, Angolan President Jose Eduardo Dos Santos, who will then present it to the SADC Summit scheduled for August in South Africa for consideration.

The meeting will further deliberate on the Interstate Defence and Security Committee (ISDSC) issues particularly on progress made by the Police, Defence, Public Security and State Security Sectors.  Also on the agenda will be deliberations on the operationalisation of the SADC BRIGADE that was launched on 17 August 2007 at the SADC Summit as well as the launch of the Regional Early Warning centre scheduled for December 2008.

The meeting will also discuss the Interstate Politics and Diplomacy (ISPDC) issues including areas of concern such as the political situation in Malawi, the security situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the mediation process by Sir Ketumile Masire in the Kingdom of Lesotho and the post electoral situation in the Republic of Zimbabwe. 

The Ministerial meeting will be preceded by a meeting of Senior Officials which starts today Wednesday 16 July to prepare reports and proposals for the Ministerial meeting.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853

Media Programme for SADC Ministerial Meeting of the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Co-operationInternational Conference Centre, Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal
Friday 18 – Saturday 19 July 2008

For further information contact Manusha Pillai on 082 389 3587

Issued by Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001

16 July 2008