Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane to participate in the High Level Conference on Sudan, Washington D.C.

Pretoria - International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, will today 21st June 2009 depart for Washington DC to participate in the High-Level Conference on the role of the international community in the implementation of the Sudan Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), slated for 22-23 June 2009. 

The High Level Conference, organised by the United States Government, is informed by the need for the international community to assist the Parties to the CPA to overcome challenges in the implementation of the Agreement.  While notable progress has been recorded, difficulties with the implementation of contentious provisions of the Agreement have become a concern.  According to the United Nations Secretary General (UNSG), Mr Ban Ki-Moon, with just two years to go, “the CPA has reached a critical juncture where any action or inaction on its provisions will have a profound impact on the future of the Sudan.” 

South Africa is the Chair of the African Union (AU) Ministerial Committee on the Post-conflict Reconstruction and Development (PCRD) of the Sudan, which is mandated to assess the needs and magnitude of the post-conflict challenges in the Sudan, to mobilise African support for PCRD efforts and to sensitise the international community about the magnitude of the PCRD challenges of the Sudan. 

South Africa and the Sudan enjoy strong bilateral relations and convene Joint Bilateral Commission (JBC) sessions at both ministerial and senior officials’ levels. South Africa has also deployed troops and civilian police in Darfur as part of the United Nations African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID).  Former President TM Mbeki chairs the AU High-level Panel on Darfur (AUPD), which is mandated to “examine the situation in Darfur in depth and to submit recommendations on how best the issues of accountability and combating impunity, on the one hand, peace, healing and reconciliation, on the other, and how the Darfur conflict could be effectively and comprehensively addressed”.  The Panel is due to present its report to the AU Summit in July 2009.

Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane is also expected to hold, on the fringes of the Conference, bilateral talks with the US Secretary of State, Ms Hillary Clinton.

Issued by Nomfanelo Kota on 082 459 3787

Department of International Relations and Cooperation
Private Bag x 152
Pretoria
0001

21 June 2009.