Mbeki, Kabila meet in DRC
Thabo Mokgola
1 September 2004
President Thabo Mbeki has reiterated South Africa's commitment to support the Democratic Republic of Congo in its bid to emerge from strife into a democratic country.
Following a two-day meeting with his DRC counterpart Joseph Kabila this week, Mbeki called on the Congolese political leadership to respect their commitment to the transition process.
War in the Great Lakes region ended last year, but sporadic attacks have been reported in recent months.
In a joint communiqué, the two presidents insisted on the need to provide support to the process which is expected to lead to the holding of free and fair elections in 2005.
Mbeki held further talks with the four vice-presidents and other officials on the difficulties of managing the transition.
"All leaders agreed that there was no alternative to the Global and Inclusive Agreements signed by the various Congolese parties in Pretoria on 16 December 2002", the communiqué
read.
Officials of the independent electoral commissions of the two countries also met to assess the requirements for holding successful elections in the DRC.
The two bodies urged the South African government and the international community to provide technological and logistical assistance for the Congolese elections process.
Officials and representatives from both countries also inaugurated the first session of the binational commission, signing agreements on health issues and the protection and promotion of investment, as well as a memorandum of understanding on economic cooperation.
Mbeki was accompanied by SA's ministers of foreign affairs, trade and industry, minerals and energy, public service and administration, provincial and local government, defence and health.
Source: BuaNews
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