African Development Community (SADC) Summit on Zimbabwe to the African Union
(AU) Summit, Addis Ababa
30 January 2009
Pretoria: South African President and current Chairperson of SADC, President
Kgalema Motlanthe is expected to table a report on the outcomes of the recent
SADC Summit held in Pretoria to discuss the implementation of the Zimbabwean
Global Political Agreement to the African Union Summit of Heads of State and
Government scheduled for 2 to 3 February 2009, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
This comes against the background of the decision today by the Zimbabwean
parties to launch the Joint Monitoring and Implementation Committee as well as
the reported decision of the MDC-T to join the ranks of the Inclusive
Government in Zimbabwe.
President Motlanthe who is currently in Davos, leading a South African
Government delegation to the World Economic Forum meeting is expected to depart
for Addis Ababa, where he will be joined by Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr
Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, later today Friday, 30 January 2009, for the African
Union Summit
Minister Dlamini Zuma is already in Addis Ababa, leading the South African
Government delegation including Foreign Affairs Director-General Dr Ayanda
Ntsaluba to the African Union's Executive Council of Foreign Ministers to
prepare background work for the Summit of Heads of State and Government.
The Summit of Heads of State and Government, organised under the theme
"Infrastructure Development in Africa, with emphasis on Transport and Energy
Investments is expected to discuss among others: Peace, security and stability
on the African continent, including the DRC, Somalia, Zimbabwe, Burundi, Sudan;
the Middle East situation as well as the Global Financial crisis.
In addition to the Summit of Heads of State and Government and the Executive
Council of Foreign Ministers, President Motlanthe and Minister Dlamini Zuma are
expected to attend the New Partnership for Africa's Development (Nepad) Heads
of State and Government Implementation Committee as well as the African Peer
Review Forum where South Africaâs National Programme of Action Report will be
presented.
On, Sunday, 1 February 2009, the Summit will hold a Special Session to
discuss the African Union Government and receive a Report of the Commission of
the Implementation of Decision Assembly, AU December 2006 on the Report of the
12 Heads of State government on the Union Government by Dr Jean Ping, the AU
Commission Chairperson.
South Africa is participating in these meetings within the context of the
country's priority to consolidating the African Agenda, through amongst others,
the strengthening of institutions of the African Union.
Later on Sunday evening the Heads of State and Government are expected to
attend a function in honour of the late Aime Cesare and Miriam Makeba through
the recital of poems and literary excerpts of Aime Cesare as well as a live
Performance by the Makeba Band.
Enquiries:
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
Issued by Department of Foreign Affairs
30 January 2009
