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President Thabo Mbeki ended his official visit to Senegal on Wednesday, October 4, where he held bilateral discussions with President Abdoulaye Wade.

The President was accompanied by Mrs Zanele Mbeki, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Director-General in the Presidency, Frank Chikane and Welile Nhlapo, deputy director-general for Africa in the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Both presidents discussed the situation in Ivory Coast with specific reference to the need for a speedy return to democracy and the restoration of peace and stability in that country.

The presidents in addition discussed the situation in Guinea.

President Mbeki reiterated his commitment to visit Senegal again in the near future.

The President and his entourage arrived in Ghana early on Wednesday evening ahead of a state visit to the country.

President Mbeki was received at Kotoka International Airport by Vice-President, Ata Mills. The President was joined in Ghana by Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota, Safety and Security Minister Steve Tshwete and Deputy Minister Buyisiwe Nzimande of Public Works.

On Thursday, President Mbeki will hold a meeting with Ghanaian President Jerry Rawlings before driving through some principal streets of Accra and the launch of the Ghana-South Africa Business Chamber.

President Mbeki will then proceed to the Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum where he will lay a wreath before addressing the Ghana-South Africa Association on the theme of the African Renaissance the Challenge of our Time.

Contact: Ronnie Mamoepa at 012 351 1000 / 082 990 4853

Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs, 4 October 2000