Agreement in Tanzania
6 September 2006
Cape Town - South African President Thabo Mbeki, supported by Deputy Foreign
Minister Aziz Pahad, will depart South Africa today Wednesday, 6 September
2006, for Dar es Salaam, capital of Tanzania where he will join the East
African regional leadership in witnessing the signing of the Cease-fire
Agreement between the government of Burundi and the Paliphehutu-FNL scheduled
for Thursday, 7 September 2006.
President Thabo Mbeki will participate in this ceremony within the context
of South Africa's commitment to consolidating the African agenda through, among
others, providing support for post conflict reconstruction and development in
the continent in general and the creation of a peaceful, stable and democratic
Burundi in particular.
South Africa was honoured and humbled by the request in May this year from
the leadership of the East African region of the African Union (AU) for South
Africa to continue with mediation efforts in Burundi. In this regard, President
Thabo Mbeki appointed South African Minister of Safety and Security Charles
Nqakula as the facilitator of this process.
South Africa is of the view that the signing of the agreement will herald a
new dawn in the history of Burundi, thus laying a firm foundation for all the
people of Burundi to participate in the reconstruction and development of their
country while laying a basis for sustainable development.
President Thabo Mbeki will join his counterparts from Uganda and Tanzania,
Presidents Yoweri Museveni and Jakaya Kikwete, in witnessing the signing of
this historic agreement. President Mbeki is expected to return to South Africa
on Friday.
For further details contact:
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
6 September 2006
