President Thabo Mbeki will attend a ceremony in Liberia on Monday when that country’s president will cede power to his deputy, the presidency said in Pretoria.
Spokesperson Bheki Khumalo said on Thursday that Mbeki remained optimistic Liberian President Charles Taylor would honour his promise to step down and leave the country.
Mbeki earlier in the week said he received such an undertaking from Taylor in a telephone call on Monday. The warlord-turned-president had been offered asylum in Nigeria.
”We are confident he will keep his word and that he will step down before leaving the country,” Khumalo said.
Taylor’s departure is seen as crucial to the success of efforts to end a decade of civil war in Liberia. Vice-President Moses Blah is to take over from him to head a
government of national unity to guide the country to democratic elections.
New fears that Taylor may change his mind at the last moment emerged during the week.
A Nigerian official said on Wednesday it appeared Taylor would impose fresh conditions, and expected to be shielded from war crime charges if he accepted exile in Nigeria.
The French news agency AFP quoted a Taylor spokesperson on Thursday as saying the president would no longer address a special session of parliament as scheduled later in the day.
Taylor was due to confirm his promise to step down at this event.
Khumalo said Mbeki was invited to witness Monday’s planned ceremony by Ghana’s President John Kufuor, current chairman of the Economic Community of West African States.
Taylor also told Kufuor three days ago that intended relinquishing power to take up exile in Nigeria, Khumalo said. Mbeki was expected to return to South Africa on Monday night. – Sapa