At the invitation of His Excellency Mr Thabo Mbeki, President of the Republic of South Africa, His Excellency Mr Omer Hassan Ahmed El Bashir, President of the Republic of the Sudan, paid a working visit to the Republic of South Africa from 5 to 7 November 2007.

The President of the Republic of Sudan was accompanied by the Sudan first lady, Mrs Widad Babiker, Cabinet Ministers and senior Sudanese government officials. The President of the Sudan also met and held discussions with the Business Community of South Africa.

The two leaders reiterated their commitment to further consolidate bilateral relations between the two countries in order to maximise the benefits of mutual co-operation.

This commitment was given practical meaning in the signing of the following agreements :

 The Memorandum of Understanding Regarding Economic Co-operation
 Agreement for the Reciprocal Promotion and Protection of Investments
 Agreement on Co-operation in the Fields of Arts and Culture
 Statement of Intent on Social Development
 Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Co-operation
 Memorandum of Understanding on Co-operation on Immigration, Population and Election Matters ; and
 Bilateral Trade Co-operation Agreement.

The two leaders committed themselves to ensuring full implementation of the agreements as well as the conclusion and signing of outstanding agreements.

Furthermore, the two Heads of State agreed to elevate the existing Joint Bilateral Commission to a Ministerial level. Previously led by Heads of Department of Foreign Affairs, the commission will now be led by the South African Minister of Trade and Industry and the Sudanese Minister of International Co-operation.

The two Heads of State discussed progress and challenges in the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) that was signed between the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) in January 2005, which serves as an important foundation to achieve lasting peace, security and stability in Sudan. They reiterated their commitment to continue working together for effective implementation of the CPA.

President El Bashir briefed President Mbeki on the evolving situation in Western Sudan region of Darfur and the ongoing peace talks in Sirte, Libya under the joint auspices of the United Nations (UN) and the African Union (AU).

The two Heads of State reiterated their commitment to work towards ending the human suffering faced by the people of Darfur. To this end, they reaffirmed their commitment to the implementation of the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) and to ensure a successful outcome of the current peace process and the rapid and effective deployment of the joint UN-AU peacekeeping operation.

They called on all non-signatories to the DPA and armed groups, in particular, the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army (SLM/A) faction led by Abdel Wahid El Nur, the SLM/A Unity and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) faction led by Khalil Ibrahim to engage in the ongoing political dialogue with a view to achieve lasting peace and security in the Darfur region.

Issued by : The Presidency, 7 November 2007