Issued by: Department of Foreign Affairs
9 January 2002
President Mbeki will attend an Extra-ordinary SADC Summit in Blantyre, Malawi on the 14th January 2002 to be chaired by President Bakili Muluzi of Malawi.
The meeting will review the political situation in the region. In particular arrangements regarding the Inter-Congolese Dialogue to be hosted by South Africa, the ongoing conflict in Angola, the outcome of the recently held democratic elections in Zambia and the forthcoming elections in Zimbabwe and Lesotho will be discussed.
The Extra-ordinary Summit will be preceded by an Extra-ordinary Council of Ministers Meeting on the 12th and 13th of January 2002 as well as a meeting of the Standing Committee of Senior Officials on the 10th and 11th January 2002.
In addition to preparing for the Summit, the Council of Ministers and Senior Officials will deliberate on progress with the review and rationalisation programme of SADC and the position of SADC with respect to the transformation of the OAU into the AU.
For further information contact Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853