20100926
BuaNews

Pretoria — South Africa has called on the international community to redouble its efforts in support of peace in the Sudan and to ensure that a schedule referendum in that country is held in a peaceful environment.

This comes after UN Secretary-General, Mr Ban Ki-moon organised a high level meeting on Sudan on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Saturday. The meeting takes place as the Sudan prepares to hold the self determination referendum for South Sudan.

"As South Africa we would like to pledge our full support to the Referenda process in the Sudan and we are willing to render any necessary assistance within our capacities through our Independent Electoral Commission to the Sudanese that would enhance their work in readying themselves for the referenda.

"Furthermore, as the international community we must commit to respect the outcome of the referendum whether it be unity or secession," said International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane.

She further commended both the National Congress Party (NCP) and Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) for the strides they have made in implementing the provisions of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). CPA was signed in 2005 and this year marks the fifth anniversary of the document that ended Africa's longest-running civil war.

The minister said while there were still a few challenges within the CPA, South Africa remained confident that the challenges would be addressed before January and that the referendum will be held on time.

South Africa's engagement in the Sudan has always been motivated by the desire to ensure peace, security and stability prevail in the largest country in the continent. Nkoana-Mashabane said the restoration of peace, security and stability in the Sudan would not only impact positively on the region but on the continent as a whole, as the conflict in that country impacts negatively on the nine countries bordering the Sudan.

"In support of peace, we have contributed military and police personnel to the AU/UN Hybrid Mission in Darfur (UNAMID). We therefore call on the international community to render the necessary support to UNAMID in order for the mission to be able to undertake its duties," she said.

South Africa has also engaged in a capacity and Institution building project in Sudan aimed at capacitating Sudanese officials, particularly those in the south, with the necessary skills that they require to administer and deliver basic services to people.

To date, more than 1 000 officials from the Government of Southern Sudan have been trained in South Africa. Many of the projects have been conducted in line with South Africa's mandate as Chair of the African Union Ministerial Committee on post conflict, reconstruction and development of the Sudan.