20 September 2006
New York: South African President Thabo Mbeki, currently in New York for the
61st session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly will lead a South
African delegation including the Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Nkosazana
Dlamini Zuma to the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council Meeting in
New York later today, Wednesday 20 September 2006.
President Mbeki is in New York where he is leading the South African
government delegation to the 61st session of the UN General Assembly within the
context of the country's conviction that the multilateral system of global
governance remains the only hope for challenges facing humanity.
South Africa's attendance of the AU Peace and Security Council comes within
the context of the country's commitment to consolidating the African Agenda
through among others support for peaceful conflict resolution on the
continent.
The AU Peace and Security Council meeting will convene against the
background of the adoption of the UN Security Council Resolution 1706 that
calls for the expansion of the UN mission in Sudan (UNMIS) from the current 10
000 to 17 300 troops and an additional 3 000 civilian police.
Cote d'Ivoire Summit
Later today Wednesday, 20 September, in New York President Thabo Mbeki,
supported by Minister Dlamini Zuma will join UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan
during the summit convened to discuss the situation in Cote d'Ivoire. The
summit is part of efforts by the international community to assist the people
of Cote d'Ivoire to address their current political challenges.
The summit is expected to be attended by among others:
1. President Gbagbo and Prime Minister Banny of Cote d'Ivoire
2. Presidents of the Rally of the Republicans (RDR), Democratic Party of Cote
d'Ivoire (PDCI) and Secretary-General of the Forces Nouvelles
3. Presidents of Burkina Faso, Congo-Brazzaville, Ghana, Mali, Niger and
Nigeria
4. Chairman of the Commission of the African Union and Executive Secretary of
Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
President Mbeki is expected to return to South Africa on Thursday, 21
September 2006.
Enquiries:
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
20 September 2006
Source: SAPA
