The South African Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Aziz Pahad, accompanied by officials and leading businessmen, visited Khartoum from 6-10 November 1999. The visit took place in response to an invitation extended by His Excellency Rev Gabriel Rorich Jnr State Minister at the Ministry of External Relations, of the Republic of the Sudan.
During his stay in Khartoum, Deputy Minister Pahad held meetings with Dr Mustafa Osman Ismail, Minister of External Relations and the Minister of State for External Relations, Rev Gabriel Rorich Jnr, and officials of the Ministry of External Relations.
Mr Pahad met with Dr Hassan Abdalla Elturabi, Speaker of the National Assembly and Secretary General of the National Congress party. He also met with Dr Awad Ahmed Elgaz, Minister of Energy and Mining; Abdalla Hassan Ahmed, Minister of International Cooper ation and Investment; Dr Mohamed Khair Elzubair, State Minister at the Ministry of Finance and National Economy; Dr Sabir Mohammed Hassan, Governor of the Bank of Sudan; Engineer Adam Altahir Hamdoun, Minister of External Commerce; Mr Adam Balough, Ministe r of Animal Resources; Dr Lam Akol, Minister of Transport; the Sudanese Business Association and the Sudanese telecommunications company, SUDATEL and other Sudanese officials. The meetings were aimed at discussing the present political and economic situati on in Sudan and South Africa and at consolidating and extending the relations between the two countries.
The Ministers discussed, inter alia, the peace process, regarding the conflict in southern Sudan, the IGAD process and the Egyptian/Libyan initiative, and agreed that there was no military solution to the problem. They also discussed human rights. The Sout h African Deputy Minister was informed about Sudanese actions to address the problem. The alleged use of chemical weapons in southern Sudan was also discussed. It was noted that the allegations could not be substantiated, after tests had been undertaken in Atlanta, USA. It was also noted that Sudan formally joined the Chemical Weapons Convention in 1999.
Deputy Minister Pahad was also extensively briefed on the new Sudanese Constitution adopted in 1998 and its accommodation of all Sudanese citizens, irrespective of ethnicity or religion. He was also informed that Sudan has adopted a multi-party system and that democratic elections will be held in the year 2000. This constitutes a very good basis for democracy, peace and prosperity.
Both Ministers further expressed their commitment to consolidate and strengthen bilateral ties. Further consideration will also be given to mechanisms to foster consultations and bilateral relations in the fields of, inter alia, international relations, ec onomics, culture and agriculture.
The Deputy Minister also held a meeting with the Inter-Religion Dialogue Council, and inter-denominational forum, to discuss religious cooperation in Sudan. Religious leaders noted that Sudan was a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic and multi-religious country. They welcomed the positive developments in Sudan and called on all parties to accept a comprehensive cessation of hostilities and achieve peace through dialogue.
The South African businessmen participated in these first-ever official opportunities that could be developed to the mutual benefit of both countries. They were encouraged by the Sudanese approach, that supports continental institutions and regional and co ntinental cooperation. This would make an important contribution to our common vision of an African Renaissance.
Deputy Minister Pahad expressed his satisfaction with the visit, and trusted that it would contribute to inter-African cooperation and regional development.
ISSUED JOINTLY BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL RELATIONS SUDAN
Pretoria
10 NOVEMBER 1999