4 November 2007
South African President Thabo Mbeki will from Tuesday, 6 November to
Wednesday, 7 November 2007, host his Sudanese counterpart President Omer Hassan
Ahmed El Bashir for discussions on the peace efforts in the Sudan and bilateral
political, economic and trade issues at Tuynhuys in Cape Town.
Foreign Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, in announcing the visit by
President El Bashir said, "President El Bashir will pay a working visit to
South Africa scheduled from Monday, 5 November 2007 to Wednesday, 7 November
2007, within the context of South Africa's support for peace efforts in the
Sudan and our priority to consolidate bilateral political, economic and trade
relations with Sudan."
In this regard, Presidents Mbeki and El Bashir will hold discussions on the
implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and the impact of the
decision by the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) to suspend its
participation in the Sudan Government of National Unity (GNU).
"In addition, South Africa is the Chair of the African Union Post-Conflict
Reconstruction and Development Committee and discussions will focus on
post-conflict reconstruction and development in the Sudan, the Darfur peace
talks in Libya as well as progress towards the deployment of the United Nations
(UN) to African Union (AU) hybrid force for Darfur.
Minister Dlamini Zuma welcomed the adoption of United Nations Security
Council Resolution 1784 (2007) on Wednesday, 31 October 2007, which extended
the mandate of the United Nations Mission in the Sudan (UNMIS) for six months
until 30 April 2008." "Minister Dlamini Zuma also welcomed the commitment from
the members of the UN Security Council to extend the Mission for further
periods after an assessment, requested from the Secretary-General on whether
any changes were needed in the UNMIS mandate to strengthen the Mission's
ability to facilitate full implementation of the Comprehensive Peace
Agreement."
Minister Dlamini Zuma reiterated the call by the UN Security Council to
donors to, "support disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration initiatives,
along with the Joint Integrated Units that were meant to include both
government troops and those of the Sudan People's Liberation Army, in order to
help reduce tensions."
"Accordingly, discussions between Presidents Thabo Mbeki and Omer El Bashir
on Tuesday, 6 November 2007, are expected to include, among others:
* the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement
* the situation in Darfur and progress towards the operationalisation of the
UN-AU Hybrid Force
* developments in the Libya peace process
* the status of bilateral political, economic and trade relations between the
two countries
"President El-Bashir will depart from South Africa on Wednesday, 7 November
2007," concluded Minister Dlamini Zuma.
Enquiries:
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
Media programme for official visit to South Africa by Sudanese President
Omar El-Bashir
Monday, 5 November 2007 to Wednesday, 7 November 2007
Monday, 5 November 2007
16h30: Arrival of media for photo opportunity on arrival of Sudanese President
Omar El-Bashir in South Africa
Venue: Cape Town International Airport, Very Important Persons Lounge,
International Arrival Terminal
Arrival of President Omar El-Bashir
Tuesday, 6 November 2007
09h00: Arrival of media ahead of official welcoming ceremony in honour of
President Omar El-Bashir
Venue: Tuynhuys, Cape Town
10h00: Arrival of President Omar El-Bashir, to be received by President Thabo
Mbeki
Media in attendance
Bilateral discussions between President Thabo Mbeki and President Omar
El-Bashir
19h00: Media arrive for photo opportunity ahead of Official Banquet hosted by
President Thabo Mbeki in honour of President Omar El-Bashir
Venue: Tuynhuys, Cape Town
19h30: State Banquet hosted by President Thabo Mbeki in honour of President
Omar El-Bashir
Media in attendance for photo opportunity and toast remarks
Wednesday, 7 November 2007
11h00: President Omar El-Bashir to visit Robben Island
15h15: Arrival of media ahead of joint press conference by President Thabo
Mbeki and President Omar El-Bashir
Venue: Tuynhuys, Cape Town
16h15: Signing of Agreements
Joint press conference
For reservations:
Manusha Pillai
Cell: 082 389 3587
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
4 November 2007
