African Union Executive Council meeting, Accra, Ghana
27 June 2007
Pretoria: South African Foreign Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma will on
Thursday, 28 June depart for Accra, Ghana, ahead of President Thabo Mbeki,
where she will lead a senior South African delegation to the African Union's
Executive Council of Foreign Ministers meeting.
The Executive Council meeting will finalise reports and proposals to be
ratified by the AU Summit Heads of State and Government scheduled from 1 to 3
July in Accra. At the centre of the proposal is the issue of the political and
economic integration of the continent.
In this regard, Minister Dlamini Zuma said, "the matter of the political and
economic integration of the continent is a long standing issue and a historic
debate that will not end until we reach destiny."
"This was a hotly debated issue during the founding conference of the
Organisation of African Union (OAU) in Addis Ababa. Eventually it was decided
by the founding fathers to form the OAU mainly to unite the African continent,
build solidarity among Africans and to free Africa from the yoke of
colonialism. The debate has nonetheless continued throughout the history of our
continent as evidenced by the various speeches, writings and debates.
"Today, no one disputes the need for a United Africa in whatever form. We
all agree this remains our objective. Indeed the matter of the political and
economic integration of Africa, how we can strengthen this integration and
unity is an issue will be central to discussions in Ghana," said Minister
Dlamini Zuma.
In this context, President Thabo Mbeki will depart for Accra on Saturday, 30
June to lead the SA delegation to the AU Summit as well as the African Peer
Review Mechanism where South Africa's report will be discussed.
For further information, please contact:
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
27 June 2007
