Seventh Summit of African Union Heads of State and Government
29 June 2006
Pretoria - South African President Thabo Mbeki, supported by Foreign
Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, will lead a senior South African government
delegation to the Seventh Summit of African Union Heads of State and Government
to be held under the theme, "Rationalisation of Regional Economic Communities
and Regional Integration," in Banjul, the Gambia scheduled from Saturday and
Sunday, 1 and 2 July 2006.
Foreign Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma is currently leading a senior
South African delegation to the Ninth Session of the African Union Executive
Council which began its deliberations on Wednesday, 28 June and is expected to
conclude its discussions later today Thursday, 29 June 2006.
Earlier in the week Minister Dlamini Zuma chaired the African Union's Peace
and Security Council Meeting that discussed the situation in, among others, the
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Somalia, Chad, Sudan and Darfur.
President Mbeki's participation in the African Union Heads of State meetings
come within the context of South Africa's commitment to consolidate the African
agenda, through among others, the strengthening of institutions of the African
Union.
The African Union Summit of Heads of State and Government is expected to
receive and ratify recommendations on strategic political, economic and
organisational issues from the Executive Council of Foreign Ministers.
In addition President Mbeki is also expected to participate in the New
Partnership for Africa�s Development (NEPAD) Heads of State and Government
Implementation Committee meeting, supported by Minister of Public Service
Administration Geraldine Fraser Moleketi.
President Thabo Mbeki will conclude his visit to the Gambia ahead of his
official visit to Guinea Conakry and State visit to Niger scheduled from 3 to 6
July 2006.
Contact:
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
29 Jun 2006
Source: SAPA
