Addis Ababa - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa has today, 29 October 2014, arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia ahead of holding discussions with the African Union Commission Chairperson Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and the Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn regarding efforts to help create peace and stability in South Sudan.

Earlier today, Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa paid a visit to Juba in South Sudan where he held discussions with President Salva Kiir and other political role-players as per of ongoing efforts to help create peace and stability in the country.

Deputy President Ramaphosa will, on Thursday 30 October 2014, proceed to Kampala and Dar es Salaam for further consultations on the peace process with President Yoweri Museveni and President Jakaya Kikwete respectively.

Deputy President Ramaphosa’s visit comes within the context of ongoing consultations with the regional leadership on the peace process in South Sudan which is led by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) as well as to hold discussions with President Salva Kiir and other SPLM leaders on the Intra-Party Dialogue.

The visit to South Sudan by Deputy President Ramaphosa is the third since his appointment as Special Envoy of President Jacob Zuma.

South Africa has committed itself to working with other regional organisations, particularly the IGAD and the African Union in consolidating peace and stability in South Sudan while addressing the humanitarian challenges facing the country.

Deputy President Ramaphosa is expected to return to South Africa on Friday 31 October 2014.

For more information contact Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853 or Clayson Monyela on 082 884 5974.

Issued by: The Presidency/DIRCO