meeting
23 June 2006
Abidjan - South African Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota today, Friday, 23
June 2006, jetted into Abidjan where he is attending the eighth session of the
International Working Group (IWG) on Côte d'Ivoire.
Minister Lekotaâs attendance of this session of the IWG comes within the
context of South Africa's mandate to mediate a settlement to the political
challenges experienced by the people of Côte d'Ivoire.
It is expected that this session of the IWG will review progress achieved in
the implementation of the roadmap and implementation of the disarmament and
national identification processes to be undertaken in terms of United Nations
Security Council Resolution 1633 (2005).
In this regard, military dialogue between the chiefs of staff of the New
Forces (FAFN) and the Armed Forces of Côte d'Ivoire (FANCI) resumed in Abidjan,
16 - 17 May 2006 during which issues for the commencement of the pilot pre
re-groupment projects as discussed while the national identification process
started on 18 May 2006.
Minister Lekota is expected to return to South Africa on Friday, 23 June
2006.
Contact:
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
23 June 2006
Source: SAPA
