16 August 2006
Maseru - South African President Thabo Mbeki arrived in Maseru, capital of
Lesotho, on Wednesday afternoon ahead of the Southern African Development
Community (SADC) Heads of State and Government Summit scheduled from Thursday -
Friday, 17-18 August 2006. Earlier in the day, President Mbeki joined his
Mozambican and Zimbabwean counterparts, Presidents Armando Guebuza and Robert
Mugabe, respectively, during the opening ceremony of the Giriyondo border
post.
In Lesotho, President Mbeki will lead a South African delegation comprising
Ministers Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Trevor Manuel, Mandisi Mpahlwa, Lulu
Xingwana and senior government officials to the SADC Summit of Heads of State
and Government. President Mbekiâs participation in the SADC Heads of State and
Government Summit comes within the context of South Africaâs commitment to
consolidate the African agenda through among others South Africaâs
participation and strengthening of SADC institutions.
Minister Dlamini Zuma early this week led a South African delegation of
Ministers to the Council of Ministers meeting from Tuesday to Wednesday, 15-16
August 2006. The SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government is expected to
deliberate on the following issues:
* elections in the region particularly the post-election situation in the
Democratic Republic of Congo
* the implementation of the SADC integration agenda
* progress on the financing, design and construction of the new SADC
Headquarters
* review the regional situation with regard to:
- economic and social situation
- agriculture and food security
- gender
- HIV and AIDS
* the African Union including the implementation of the New Partnership for
Africaâs Development (NEPAD) and a progress report on the attainment of the
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
* preparations for the International Conference on Poverty Alleviation
* receive reports from the Chairperson of the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence
and Security Co-operation.
President Mbeki and his delegation are expected to return to South Africa on
Friday, 18 August 2006.
For further enquiries, please contact:
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: on 082 990 4863
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
16 August 2006
