d'Ivoire
6 September 2006
South African Foreign Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, will depart South
Africa on Thursday, 7 September 2006, for Abidjan where she will lead an
African delegation to the meeting of the International Working Group (IWG) on
Côte d'Ivoire on Friday, 8 September 2006, in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. Minister
Dlamini Zuma's participation in the IWG comes within the context of South
Africa's commitment to support the leadership and people of Côte d'Ivoire in
their efforts to find a political solution to their current political
challenges.
In this regard, this session of IWG follows the recent visit to Côte
d'Ivoire by South African Defence Minister Mosioua Lekota and Deputy Foreign
Minister Aziz Pahad as representatives of the mediator, President Thabo Mbeki,
in August. The delegation held extensive discussions with President Gbagbo,
Prime Minister Konan Banny and the leadership of the FPI (Le Front Populaire
Ivoirien / Ivorian Popular Front) during which briefings were received
regarding the progress made in the implementation of the roadmap and
preparations for elections as well as the challenges being experienced.
The forthcoming session of the IWG also comes ahead of the meeting to be
convened by the United Nations Secretary-General, Mr Kofi Annan, on the margins
of the 61st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in September
2006. During this meeting the Secretary-General and key role-players will
consider reports by the mediation and representatives of the United Nations,
the African Union, the European Union, International Monetary Fund and the
Independent Electoral Commission regarding the status of preparations for the
elections.
The 10th session of the IWG will receive reports on the:
* preparations for the scheduled elections on 30 October 2006
* progress regarding the national certification issue
* progress regarding the Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR)
process including the integration of rebel forces into legitimate structures
and the disarmament of militias.
Upon conclusion of the visit to Cote d'Ivoire, Minister Dlamini Zuma will
proceed to Brazil ahead of President Thabo Mbeki to attend the inaugural
session of the historic strategic summit of the India-Brazil-South Africa
(IBSA) scheduled for 12 - 13 September 2006.
Enquiries:
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
6 September 2006
