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9 September 2008

The Deputy Minister of Defence Mr Mluleki George is today, 9 September 2008 leading a South African delegation to visit the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) contingent currently deployed in the United Nations African Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) in Sudan.

South African government has deployed close to 600 military personnel and 32 observers to help bring to halt instability in the region of Darfur.

The deputy minister's three day visit seeks to afford the troops necessary support, raise their morale and obtain in loco experience of the deployees and the operational area.

The deputy minister has said the visit was also in the context of consolidating the good relations between the two countries.

"South Africa continues to maintain good ties with Sudan as strategic country for the horn of Africa and the continent at large," he said.

In 2003, South Africa and Sudan signed a General Co-operation Agreement, which provided the platform for the bilateral relations and the reconstruction and development of Sudan.

Three years later, an agreement regarding the modalities for the establishment of a Joint Bilateral Commission (JBC) was signed. This paved the way for the establishment of the JBC between the two countries.

Subsequently, South Africa appointed and stationed a Defence Attaché in Sudan, which was shortly followed by the two countries signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Defence Co-operation in 2007.

Enquiries:
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Issued by: Ministry of Defence
9 September 2008