President Jacob Zuma today departs to Sudan to attend the inauguration of the new state of South Sudan.

President Jacob Zuma departs today (08 July 2011) to Sudan to attend the inauguration of the new state of South Sudan scheduled to take place on 09 July 2011. President Zuma’s attendance will be preceded by a working visit.

President Zuma is accompanied by a high-level South African delegation that includes Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, Minister in the Presidency responsible for Monitoring and Evaluation, Mr Collins Chabane and the Presidential Envoy to Sudan, Mr. Charles Nqakula.

President Zuma will on behalf of the people and government of South Africa extend a congratulatory message to the people of the new Republic of South Sudan on its independence. This historic moment is a fulfillment of the wishes of the people of South Sudan for self determination.

It is expected that President Zuma will also use his attendance as an opportunity to:

1. Strengthen political and economic relations between Khartoum and Pretoria;
   
   
2. Officiate the Signing of the Agreement on Cooperation in the field of Agriculture, which will allow South Africa and the Sudan to engage in exchanges of scientific and technical information, specialists and researchers, including the transfer of technology – but most importantly that the Agreement will strengthen our governments role in enhancing food security;
   
   
3. Commend President Al Bashir for the role he has played in ensuring the Sudan stays the course of and committed to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA);
   
   
4. Express South Africa’s wish to see Khartoum and Juba work together for peace, stability and development, as they remain inextricably linked geographically, culturally and in many other ways;
   
   
5. Emphasize that South Africa remains committed to the enhancement of trade and investment with the North and in assisting the North to become an economic powerhouse to anchor its own stability.

The independence of the Republic of South Sudan marks the beginning of a new journey during which South Sudan institutions must work together to consolidate democracy, government and parliamentary institutions and address the pressing challenges that the country faces.

South Africa welcomes the signing on 20 June 2011 of the Agreement on Temporary Arrangements for the Administration and Security of the Abyei region between the Government of the Republic of Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement as well as the signing on 28 June 2011 of the Framework Agreement on Political Partnership between the NCP and SPLM (Northern Sector) on Political Partnership and Political and Security Arrangements in Blue Nile and Southern Kordofan between the Government of Sudan and the SPLM (Northern Sector).

These significant developments come at a crucial time when the two parties to the CPA need to apply all efforts to ensure the peaceful transition and birth of a new State. South Africa has confidence that the African Union High Level Implementation Panel, led by former President Mbeki, will reap more positive results in the negotiations between the parties to the CPA over the outstanding post-referendum issues.

South Africa will continue to support efforts aimed at ensuring a peaceful and stable environment in South Sudan that will create conditions for the entrenchment of democracy and the development of government institutions for the betterment of the people of South Sudan.

For further information please contact Mr Clayson Monyela spokesperson for DIRCO on 082 884 5974

ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION

OR Tambo Building
460 Soutpansberg Road
Pretoria


08 JULY 2011