French leave for South African president
South African President Thabo Mbeki today began a state visit to France that includes an address before the parliament – a first for a leader from sub-Saharan Africa.
The distinction underscores the importance France places on South Africa as a vital player in the region and France’s drive to include the African continent in a globalised world.
Mbeki was to meet President Jacques Chirac for talks and dinner tonight after laying a wreath at the Arc de Triomphe, the site of France’s tomb of the unknown soldier.
Mbeki, who took office in 1999, has insured that South Africa has a high-profile diplomatic role on the continent. Pretoria is mediator in the civil war in Burundi and Mbeki has worked to resolve Zimbabwe’s political crisis.
The South African leader is to address parliament tomorrow.
The three day visit is about “business, business, business,” said South African Public Enterprise Minister Jeff Radebe.
