Communiqué on the Working Visit to Khartoum (Sudan) by President Jacob Zuma from 8 to 9 July 2011

H.E. Mr. Jacob Zuma, President of South Africa, accompanied by a Ministerial and Senior Officials delegation, paid a working visit to the Republic of Sudan on 8 July 2011 in which he held discussions with his Sudanese counterpart, President Omer Hassan Al Bashir.

The two Presidents exchanged views on various issues of mutual interest in light of the inauguration of the new state of South Sudan on 9 July 2011. President Al Bashir expressed his recognition of the new state and neighbour. President Zuma, in expressing his welcome of the independent state of South Sudan, lauded the efforts of the Government of Sudan in fulfilling its commitments to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, thus giving the Southern Sudanese the opportunity to own their destiny.

President Al-Bashir briefed President Zuma on the status of the post-referendum negotiations as well as the developments in Abyei. He expressed his government’s determination to achieve an agreement on all the remaining issues that will lay the foundation for peaceful co-existence of the two states thereby ensuring their mutual viability. He further reiterated the Government of Sudan’s commitment to find a final and durable solution to the question of Abeyi. President Al-Bashir also informed President Zuma that the Doha Peace Process had concluded and the Darfur Peace Process would soon begin.

President Zuma commended the parties on the signing of the Temporary Security Arrangements on Abyei and the framework agreement on the Political Partnership between the NCP and SPLMN over political and security arrangements for the Blue Nile and Southern Kordofan States and stressed the importance of their speedy implementation.

President Al Bashir expressed his deep appreciation to South Africa for the role it has played in supporting peace in Sudan and welcomed South Africa’s efforts in assisting Sudan’s development, including institution and capacity building. President Zuma assured President Al Bashir that South Africa, as Chair of the African Union Post Conflict Reconstruction and Development Committee for Sudan, would continue to harness the resources of the African continent in support of the development of the Republics of Sudan and South Sudan. President Zuma also reiterated the decision of the India-Brazil-South Africa Forum to mobilise their own resources to support development projects in both North and South Sudan.

President Al Bashir welcomed South Africa’s efforts and the public statements by President Zuma calling for the international community to normalise its relations with the Sudan given Sudan's contribution to the anti terror fight.   President Al Bashir expressed the appreciation of South Africa’s support in the call for the cancellation of the debt owed by Sudan, which would be an enormous relief to Sudan and enable the country to refocus its efforts on development.

In reviewing the current political and security situation in the continent the two Heads of State expressed deep concern about the escalation of hostilities in Libya that contributed to the loss of civilian life, displacement of the people and the destruction of property. They also observed that the current situation in Libya has resulted in a dire humanitarian crisis.

Both Heads of State reiterated their commitment to improve and strengthen political and economic relations by enhancing cooperation between the business communities of the two countries and by increasing bilateral trade and investment. In the same vein, both countries agreed to encourage people-to-people contacts through art, cultural, scientific and educational exchange programmes, including tourism.

During this session, the two parties signed an Agreement on Agricultural Co-operation. President Zuma expressed his profound gratitude to President Al-Bashir and to the government and the people of the Sudan for the warm hospitality accorded to him and his delegation during the visit.

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
Private bag X152
Pretoria

11 July  2011