Press Release

13 May 2012

President Zuma to undertake Working Visit to the Republic of Benin

President Jacob Zuma will undertake a working visit to Cotonou, Republic of Benin, to attend the meeting of the African Union Heads of State and Government ad-hoc Committee on the election of the members of the African Union Commission, scheduled to take place on 14 May 2012.

As previously recalled, the January 2012 AU Summit established the Ad Hoc Committee of Eight Heads of State and Government to work on the upcoming AU election of Members of the Commission. The election will take place during the next Summit in Malawi later this year.

Prior to the forthcoming meeting, Ad Hoc Committee met on 17 March in Cotonou, Benin, wherein it was decided that South Africa and Gabon should undertake bilateral consultations to seek a consensual solution and report back to the Committee. As part of this decision, President Zuma is scheduled to brief the Committee on, amongst other things, the bilateral consultations that have taken place between South Africa and Gabon.

For further information, please contact Mr. Clayson Monyela, Spokesperson for DIRCO, on 082 884 5974

Issued by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation

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