The President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency Mr Jacob Zuma, will host His Excellency Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic of South Sudan, who will undertake a Working Visit to South Africa scheduled to take place in Cape Town on 12 December 2014.
President Zuma will host the South Sudanese President within the context of consolidating the African Agenda through the enhancement and deepening of bilateral political, economic and social relations.
The visit is aimed at strengthening the already existing cordial relations between South Africa and South Sudan, which are anchored on the agreement establishing bilateral relations signed in September 2011.
Since the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2005, South Africa has been actively supportive of African Union Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development (PCRD) projects in both Sudan and South Sudan under the umbrella of the AU Ministerial Committee on PCRD, which South Africa currently chairs.
To date, and as part of a capacity-building programme taking place within the context of the AUPCRD, more than 1 600 officials from the Government of South Sudan have been trained by the Government of South Africa. The training ranges across a spectrum of fields such as policing, justice, communications and foreign services.
With regard to bilateral trade, South Sudan represents a growing export market for South African goods into the Horn of Africa. Therefore, there are expectations for growth in total trade volumes in the future.
The two Presidents will use the occasion of the Working Visit to exchange views on the latest developments on the continent and globally. President Kiir is expected to brief President Zuma on the ongoing peace process in South Sudan which is facilitated by the Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD).
President Salva Kiir Mayardit is expected to be accompanied by a contingent of ministers and senior government officials. President Zuma will be joined by Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa and the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ms Minister Nkoana-Mashabane.
For more information:
Clayson Monyela, Spokesperson for DIRCO
Cell: 082 884 5974
