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President Thabo Mbeki to attend Southern Africa's Development Community (SADC) organ on politics, defence and security co-operation meeting
31 January 2008
South African President, Thabo Mbeki will today, Thursday, 31 January 2008 supported by Foreign Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, participate in the SADC Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Co-operation meeting, on the fringes of the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
President Mbeki will join the Heads of State of the SADC organ at which he will present a report of his facilitation process between the main political protagonists in Zimbabwe namely ZANU-PF and the two Movement for Democratic Change factions.
President Mbeki will brief his SADC counterparts within the context of the mandate bestowed upon him by SADC Heads of State and government in March 2007 to facilitate between the government and opposition in Zimbabwe with a view to assisting the parties find a solution to their political challenges.
In addition, President Thabo Mbeki, supported by Ministers Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma and Mandisi Mpahlwa, will also, today, 31 January 2008 lead the South African government delegation to the African Union Summit of Heads of State and Government that will be held under the banner, "industrialisation in Africa."
The African Union (AU) Summit of Heads of State and Government was preceded by a meeting of Nepad Heads of State and Government Implementation Committee (HSGIC) and the African Peer Review Forum (APRF) on Wednesday, 30 January 2008.
At the AU Summit, Heads of State and Government will:
* consider the Report of the Executive Council on the Audit of the Union and the Report of the Ministerial Committee on the Union Government
* elect and appoint the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the Commission
* consider the appointment of the Commissioners
* consider the appointment of the Members of the Peace and Security Council and
* adopt the Budget for 2008.
Heads of State will also receive reports on the:
* activities of the Peace and Security Council and the State of Peace and Security in Africa and;
* chairperson of New Partnership for Africa's Development (Nepad) Heads of State and Government Implementation Committee.
Heads of State and Government will also debate the proposed participation of the African Diaspora as an observer in the Assemblies of the African Union.
President Thabo Mbeki is expected to return to South Africa on Sunday, 3 February 2008.
Enquiries:
Ronnie Mamoepa
Cell: 082 990 4853
Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
31 January 2008