Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe to undertake Working Visit to Sudan, 21 -24 October 2009.

Pretoria - Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe, supported by Monitoring and Evaluation Minister in the Presidency, Mr Collins Chabane and senior government officials, will undertake a working visit to Sudan from 21 – 24 October 2009.

During his visit Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe is expected to hold discussions with his counterparts in the Government of the South Sudan (GoSS), Dr. Ali Osman Taha and Dr. Riek Machar Teny in the Government of Southern Sudan on Post Conflict Reconstruction and Development (PCRD), the 2010 election a national referendum, governance experiences and other matters related to the implementation of the Sudan Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).

The visit takes place within the context of the advancement of the African agenda and South Africa’s commitment to assist the Sudanese people in the efforts to restore peace and to contribute to the post-conflict reconstruction of the Sudan. South Africa and the Sudan enjoy strong bilateral relations as symbolised by various projects at various levels of government.  At national level, South Africa and the Sudan convene Joint Bilateral Commission (JBC) sessions at both Ministerial and Senior Officials level.  South Africa is also involved in governance training programmes to capacitate Southern Sudanese Officials within the context of the Capacity and Institution Building Project for Southern Sudan.  South Africa has also deployed troops and civilian police in Darfur as part of the United Nations African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID).  South Africa is the Chair of the AU Ministerial Commission on Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development of the Sudan.

Recently, President Salva Kiir Mayadirt of the Government of South Sudan paid a working visit to South Africa to discuss among others, the political developments in the Sudan including the forthcoming elections, the 2011 Referendum and other matters related to the implementation of the CPA.

South Africa supports the work of the AU High Level Panel on Darfur whose report was presented at the AU Liaison Office in Khartoum.

Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe is expected to return to South Africa on 24 October 2009.

For more information contact Nomfanelo Kota on 082 459 3787.

Issued by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation.
Private Bag X 152
Pretoria, 0001

20 October 2009.