Deputy President Jacob Zuma to witness the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement Between the Government of Sudan and the Sudanese People's Liberation Movement, Nairobi, Kenya Sunday, 9 January 2005

South African Deputy President Jacob Zuma will depart from Accra today, Friday - 7 January 2005 - for Nairobi, Kenya where he will witness, on behalf of South Africa, the signing of the Comprehensive Ceasefire Agreement between the Government of Sudan and the Sudanese People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) on Sunday, 9 January 2005.

On Friday, 31 December 2004 President Mbeki witnessed the signing of the Permanent Ceasefire Agreement and the Protocol on the Implementation Modalities by the Parties. This paved the way for the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement to end the civil war in Southern Sudan that has been continuing for more than two decades.

South Africa is the Chair of the AU Committee on Post-Conflict Reconstruction of the Sudan. President Mbeki during his visit to Sudan from 30 December 2004 to 02 January 2005 highlighted the renewed vigour with which South Africa would undertake its task as the Chair of the above-mentioned Committee. The Committee undertook a fact-finding mission to Sudan in June 2004 and a Ministerial meeting is expected shortly.

Peace in Africa's largest country will not only be a victory for the people of the Sudan but also demonstrates the political will of the African leadership through the AU to create the conditions for peace, security and stability in the continent. In this context, the efforts of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) under the leadership of Kenya are welcomed and further encouraged.

Issued by Ronnie Mamoepa on 082 990 4853
Department of Foreign Affairs
Private Bag X152
Pretoria
0001
7 January 2005