South African President Thabo Mbeki leaves for Kinshasha tomorrow, to co-chair the South Africa/Democratic Republic of Congo bi-national commission. The foreign affairs department says Mbeki would co-chair the commission with his counterpart President Joseph Kabila.

The commission, the fourth of its kind, but the first since the country held elections in 2006, is due to start on Tuesday. Foreign minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, together with her Congolese counterpart, Antipas Mbusa Nyamwisi, will co-chair a ministerial meeting of the commission today and Monday.

SA's participation is part of its commitment to consolidate relations with the DRC and support reconciliation in the country, read the statement. This year's commission is expected to evaluate issues including capacity-building, immigration, defence and security issues, economic reforms and various social and humanitarian issues. - Sapa