Joint Communique issued at the Conclusion of the South Africa-Senegal
Joint Commission for Bilateral Co-operation, 30 April 2008

At the invitation of Her Excellency Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency, Mr Cheikh Tidiane Gadio, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation of the Republic of Senegal undertook a Working Visit to South Africa on 30 April 2008. On this occasion, the two Ministers co-chaired the South Africa-Senegal Joint Commission for Bilateral Co-operation, provided for by the bilateral Agreement on the Establishment of a Joint Commission for Bilateral Co-operation signed in Dakar in 2004.

The Ministerial Joint Commission for Bilateral Co-operation was preceded by a Senior Government Officials’ meeting, which deliberated on a wide range of areas, namely; Agriculture, Arts & Culture, Communication, Defence, Health, Sports, Women and Youth Empowerment, Foreign Affairs, Environment and Tourism, Education, Minerals and Energy, Transport and Trade & Industry.

The two Ministers expressed their satisfaction with the outcomes of the deliberations of the Senior Government Officials, in particular the recommendations emanating from the various Commissions. They expressed the hope that these recommendations will lead to the strengthening of relations between the two countries. They urged the Senior Government Officials to ensure expeditious implementation of all the recommendations. One of the highlights of the Commission was the signing of the Defence Co-operation Agreement between South Africa and Senegal. This Agreement was signed by Mr Mosiua Lekota, Minister of Defence of South Africa and Minister Gadio. This Agreement will contribute towards the strengthening of existing co-operation in the area of defence.

The Ministers also used the occasion of their meeting to review developments on the African continent and the world and agreed on all issues discussed. They expressed their support for the Ouagadougou Peace Process and urged all the parties to continue working for the normalisation of Cote d’Ivoire. They also expressed concern at the renewed tensions in Burundi and called on all parties to recommit themselves to the Arusha Agreement and the Burundi Peace Process. The Ministers called for the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in Sudan, as well as resolution of the con flict in Darfur.  Regarding the situation in Zimbabwe, they urged the national electoral authorities to do their utmost for the final conclusion of the electoral process, in particular the release of the results of the Presidential Elections held on 29 March 2008, in accordance with the due process of the law.

They further welcomed the signing of the peace agreement between Chad and Sudan in Dakar on 13 March 2008 and called upon the Parties to diligently implement it in good faith.

The Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to the integration of the African continent within the framework of the African Union and expressed their hope that the upcoming Extraordinary Session of the AU Executive on the African Union Audit process will result in further integration of the African continent. They recalled the outcomes of the NEPAD Review Summit in Dakar and recommitted themselves to their implementation.

With regard to the Diaspora Summit that will be held in South Africa in October 2008, the two Ministers agreed to work within the framework of the African Union and bilaterally to ensure the success of this historic occasion. They underscored the importance of the Diaspora in the realisation of the cause of Africa Renaissance.

The Ministers noted with concern the rampant global food crisis affecting mainly developing countries and called for the implementation of sustainable food security measures.   They also expressed their concern over rising oil prices and their impact on the socio-economy of African countries in particular and developing countries in general.

They expressed their support for the promotion of global peace within the framework of the United Nations and reaffirmed the centrality of the United Nations Security Council in that process. They also reaffirmed their commitment to the Doha Trade Round and called for the reform of Bretton Woods Institutions and expressed the need for these institutions to place development at the centre of their agenda.

The two Ministers agreed to continue consulting on regional and global issues of mutual interest with a view to develop common positions.

At the conclusion of the session, Minister Gadio expressed his gratitude to the Government and People of South Africa for their hospitality since his arrival. Minister Gadio invited Minister Dlamini Zuma to undertake a visit to Senegal in accordance with Agreement on the Establishment of a Joint Commission for Bilateral Co-operation in existence between the two countries. The dates of the visit will be confirmed via diplomatic channels.

Done in Pretoria, South Africa on 30 April 2008

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Minister N.C. Dlamini Zuma                                             Minister T. Gadio

For the Government of South Africa                             For the Government of Senegal

Issued by Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001

30 April 2008