Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
29 September 2000
President Thabo Mbeki will be undertaking State Visits to Nigeria from 1 to 4 October 2000 and Ghana from 5 to 7 October 2000, with a working visit to Senegal on 4 October 2000. The President will be accompanied by a ministerial delegation comprising of Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Mosiuoa Lekota, the Minister of Defense, Dr Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri, the Minister of Communications and Mrs. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, the Minister of Minerals and Energy. In addition, a business delegation will accompany the President on the Nigeria and Ghana legs of the visit.
The visit to these three West African states reflects the importance South Africa attaches to its relations with them, not only in promoting increased bilateral political and economic relations, but also their value as partners in promoting the ideals of the African Renaissance.
President Mbeki will be paying his first State Visit as the South African Head of State to Nigeria, and this signifies the degree to which bilateral relations between South Africa and Nigeria have normalized since President Olusegun Obasanjo assumed his presidency in May 1999. President Thabo Mbeki, together with Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria and President Abdelaziz Boutaflika of Algeria have recently increasingly represented African interests, and those of the developing world at large, in the areas of conflict resolution, debt relief, poverty and development issues. The visit will allow the Heads of State to review recent initiatives in this regard. At the bilateral level, the visit will also allow for a review of progress made in the South Africa-Nigeria Bi-National Commission, the second session of which was held in Pretoria in April 2000. President Mbeki will also be attending Nigeria's 40th Independence Celebrations in the federal capital, Abuja, as the guest of President Obasanjo. In addition, President Mbeki will engage with a wide spectrum of Nigerian political and civil role players. The presence of a business delegation is expected to further enhance the growing trade relationship between South Africa and Nigeria, and it is also expected that there will be a clear focus on investment opportunities.
The visit to Senegal will be the first such visit paid by President Mbeki, and follows shortly after the successful democratic election which saw President Abdoulaye Wade defeat then President Abdou Diouf, and which, in turn was followed by a peaceful transition of power. It anticipated that bilateral discussions will focus on regional conflict and development issues, as well as means of improving and strengthening bilateral relations.
The Ghana leg of the visit follows a State Visit to South Africa in 1998 by President Jerry Rawlings. Ghana has become a significant South African trade partner in the region. In addition, the entrenchment of democratic rule in Ghana has resulted in Ghana becoming an island of stability in an unsettled region. President Rawlings will soon step down as the Ghanaian Head of State, and it is anticipated that President Rawlings will continue his positive efforts aimed at promoting African solidarity through a possible role as an elder statesman. In this regard, President Rawlings can be seen as a natural partner in promoting the ideals of the African Renaissance. Whilst in Ghana, President Mbeki will engage with a range of Ghanaian opinion on various aspects of interest to Africa. He will also be making an address to the Ghanaian Parliament. President Mbeki will also witness the conclusion of an Agreement on Defense Training and Technical Cooperation, as well as attending the launching of the Ghana-South Africa Business Chamber.
Following are the key events during the Nigerian leg of President's visits:
Joint meetings of;
Bilateral discussions between South Africa and Nigeria to be attended by both Presidents, Ministers and Senior Officials President to address Nigerian Institute of Foreign Affairs on "Renaissance and Democracy in Africa" President to attend Dardar (Imbizo) with Nigerian Traditional Chiefs
Senegal
Ghana
For more information contact Basetsana Thokoane
Cell no. 083 443 7740