[ Home ] [ Speeches & statements ]

In the context of the Nairobi 11 Summit on the crisis in The Great Lakes region, the South African government in consultation with Heads of States of SADC member countries has taken the opportunity to undertake talks with some of the key players in The Great Lakes Region.

In this endeavour, the key objective of the South African government is to explore the concerns of the various players in order to chart the path to a possible peaceful resolution to the crises, particularly in Zaire.

As part of this process, the South African Foreign Minister has been in Kinshasa since the 18 February 1997 with five of his colleagues from the continent to explore with the Zairan Government possible means to end the bloodshed in that country. Simultaneously the government of South Africa is engaged in delicate discussions with other key role players, all of which it is hoped will contribute towards a resolution to the conflict.

Issued by: The Department of Foreign Affairs

<EOD>