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Disarmament of the Janjaweed Militia
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
FOR ORAL REPLY
QUESTION NO 8
QUESTION TIME: 08 SEPTEMBER 2004 - QUESTION STANDING
OVER FROM
18 AUGUST 2004
MR O BAPELA (ANC) TO ASK THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS:
(1) Whether, in the light of developments in Darfur,
the sending of ten members of the SA National Defence
Force to Sudan and also her discussions with her counterpart
in Sudan, the Government intends campaigning for the
disarmament of the Janjaweed militia; if not, why not;
if so, what are the relevant details;
(2) whether, in her capacity as Chairperson of the
AU Peace and Security Council, she will make a statement
on the Sudanese government's commitment to peace in
Darfur and the south of Sudan;
(3) whether the Government will participate in the
reconstruction and integration of the Sudanese people
as a whole; if not, what is the position in this regard;
if so, what are the relevant details;
(4) Whether the Government will assist in preparing
the Sudanese Peoples' Liberation Army (SPLA) for governance;
if not, what is the position in this regard; if so,
what are the relevant details? N423E
REPLY:
(1) South Africa fully supports the African Union (AU)
efforts in campaigning for the disarmament of the Janjaweed
militia, as called for in the Humanitarian Cease-fire
Agreement of the Conflict in Darfur, signed between
the Government of Sudan and the two rebel movements
in Darfur.
(2) The Chair of the AU Peace and Security Council
does not make independent statements, but is guided
by the Council in this regard. Therefor, the Chair of
the Au Peace and Security Council is not likely to make
unilateral statements on the Government of Sudan's commitment
to peace, unless guided by the Council. South Africa
chaired the Council during July 2004.
(3) Pursuant to a decision by the Maputo Summit of
the AU in July 2003, a multi-
disciplinary delegation, consisting of experts from
the African Union (led by South Africa) visited Sudan
from 22 - 30 June 2004 to assess the situation on the
ground for the purpose of the post-conflict reconstruction
process of the country. A follow-up ministerial visit
is being planned to further advance the reconstruction
efforts.
(4) The South African Government has agreed to assist
the SPLM, in partnership with UNISA and other relevant
institutions, in training and preparing for governance.
The objective is to build capacity among the Southern
Sudanese leadership that will be responsible for governing
and service-delivery to the people of Southern Sudan
during the six-year transition period. In May 2004,
a situational assessment visit to Southern Sudan was
undertaken.
END
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