AFR/450
 PKO/97
 12 August 2002

UNITED NATIONS, SOUTH AFRICA DISCUSS IMPLEMENTATION
OF PRETORIA PEACE AGREEMENT BETWEEN DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF CONGO AND RWANDA

NEW YORK, 9 August (UN Headquarters) -- A team of South African experts is visiting New York for consultations with the Secretariat on the practical modalities of the Pretoria Agreement between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, signed on 30 July.

The following joint communiqué was issued by the United Nations and representatives of the Govern- ment of South Africa in New York today, 9 August.

The peace agreement on the withdrawal of the Rwandan troops from the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the dismantling of the ex-FAR/Interahamwe forces in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, signed in Pretoria on 30 July, provides for the involvement of a "third party", which is defined as the Secretary-General of the United Nations and South Africa, in its dual capacity as Chairperson of the African Union and facilitator.

As the third party, the United Nations and South Africa are ready to work closely together to oversee and verify the implementation of the commitments made by both parties.

Accordingly, pursuant to the agreement and following consultations between the United Nations Secretariat and representatives of the South African Government, it has been agreed to establish a secretariat, which will comprise the following personnel, to be assisted as required by the necessary experts:

For the United Nations

  • The Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the DRC
  • The Deputy Force Commander of the United Nations Organization Mission in the DRC (MONUC)

For the Government of South Africa

  • The Security Advisor to the President, Mr. B. Masetlha
  • The Foreign Affairs Adviser to the President, Ms. T. Majola
  • The Chief Director for Central Africa, Ms. L. Zulu
  • The Special Representative for the Department of Defence, Major-General A. Ntshinga

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