Nqakula appointed as Sudan envoy

2010-10-18 20:06

Johannesburg - President Jacob Zuma has appointed his political adviser, Charles Nqakula, as his special envoy to Sudan, Zuma's office said on Monday.

"This is a strong reflection of South Africa's commitment to assisting Sudan overcome the challenges that country faces," said the presidency.

Nqakula was previously the minister of defence and currently forms part of the SA Development Community's Madagascar Team led by former Mozambican president Joachim Chissano.

South Africa currently chairs the African Union Ministerial Committee on the Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development of the Sudan, which comprises Algeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal and Sudan.

Nqakula also heads the president's Zimbabwe facilitation team.

The ministerial committee for Sudan was established in 2003.

South Africa has been helping with capacity building projects in the African country, such as training government officials from southern Sudan, offered scholarships to education planners to study in South Africa and the police have helped train the Sudan police services.

The department of justice has helped with training in the judiciary.

- SAPA