Minister Maite Nkoana Mashabane and Minister Collins Chabane to pay a Courtesy call on Sudanese President Omar Hassan El Bashir

Khartoum: South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Maite Nkoana Mashabane and the Minister in the Presidency, Collins Chabane, will today, Tuesday, 15 September 2009 pay a courtesy call on Sudanese President Omar El Bashir at the Republican Palace in Khartoum. The Ministers will be supported by South African Ambassador to the Republic of Sudan, Dr. Manelisi Genge as well as senior government officials.

The two Ministers are in Sudan for a three day official visit which is aimed at strengthening relations between South Africa and the Sudan within the context of the promotion of the Consolidation of the African Agenda as well as ensuring that there is lasting peace in the Sudan.

South Africa also chairs the African Union Ministerial Committee on Post Conflict Reconstruction and Development of the Sudan. The challenges facing the implementation of the Sudanese Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) as well as 2010 Elections will receive attention in the discussions in Khartoum.

Whilst in Khartoum, the Ministers are expected to meet with a number of government Ministers such as Dr. Eltijani Salih Elfeail, Minister of International Cooperation as well as Minister in the Presidency, Minister Bakri Hassan Salih and other senior officials including, Dr. Ghazi Salahaddin, Advisor to President Bashir, Dr. Mustafa Oman as well as Judge Abel Alier, Chairperson of the Sudanese National Electoral Commission who will brief the South African Ministers on the state of preparations for the April 2010 Elections.

On Wednesday, 16 September 2009, Ministers Nkoana-Mashabane and Chabane will depart Khartoum for Juba where they will interact with their Southern Sudanese counterparts, including paying a courtesy call on Lt. General Salva Kirr Mayardit, the President of the Government of Southern Sudan and First Vice President of Sudan.

Whilst in Juba, the Ministers are also expected to meet with Mr. Pagan Amum, Secretary General of the Sudanese People's Liberation Movement and Dr. Ann Ito, Secretary - General of the Sudanese People's Liberation Movement (Southern Sector).

Ministers Nkoana-Mashabane and Chabane are expected in South Africa later on Thursday, 17 September 2009 ahead of Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane's working visit to New York in support of President Zuma at the 64th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

For more information, contact Nomfanelo Kota on + 27 82 459 3787

South African Embassy
Khartoum
Sudan

15 September 2009