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STATEMENT ON PRESIDENT MBEKI'S TRIP TO ZIMBABWE AS PART OF SADC ENGAGEMENT
President Thabo Mbeki will arrive in Harare on Monday, 10 September, for a two-day engagement with role players in the current economic situation. President Mbeki will be part of a group of regional leaders, including the Presidents of Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, Angola and Malawi.
The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit in August 2001, on expressing concern over the effects of the economic situation in Zimbabwe, resolved to engage in a dialogue with the government of Zimbabwe and other co-operating partners on this matter. It established a task force comprising the SADC Troika (Malawi, Namibia, Angola), Botswana, Mozambique and South Africa to work with the role players in this regard.
At an informal meeting of SADC leaders convened a few days later by President Muluzi of Malawi, the current SADC chair, a decision was taken for members of the task force to begin urgently engaging the role-players in Zimbabwe towards the resolution of the economic situation. The meetings on Monday and Tuesday with President Mugabe and his Cabinet will also include discussions with interest groups such as commercial farmers and war veterans.
Enquiries: Bheki Khumalo at 083 256 9133
Issued by: The Presidency, 4 September 2001