Transcript of Minister Maite Nkoana Mashabane’s press comments upon conclusion of the Courtesy call on President of Government of Southern Sudan , Salva Kirr Mayardit in Juba, South Sudan, Wednesday 17 September 2009

Introduction by Min.Mashabane:

My name is Maite Nkoana  Mashabane, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa.

This is our first visit in the new government led by President Jacob Zuma of South Africa  to Sudan. We are here accompanied by the Minister in the Presidency, Minister Collins Chabane.

This is a delegation that has come here to update ourselves on the work of the Post Conflict and Reconstruction Development (of the Southern Sudan). We have been mandated by the AU to chair a committee of about 9 Ministers in Africa, that post the conflict, and post the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement we should continue to monitor the progress that has been made in the implementation of the CPA, but in particular to focus on the PCRD Programme.

From our observation and from our interaction with the interlocutors starting in Khartoum up to here, we think there has been considerable and respectable progress that has been made.

We also recognize that there are some few obstacles that remain as the Main parties in Sudan are preparing for Elections and Referendum later.

We have met with President Bashir and other Ministers in Khartoum, they seem to all be committed to the full implementation of the CPA. We have also recommitted ourselves to supporting the processes thereof, we came down South and we’ve met with the Minister of Regional Integration, other Ministers and Labour and we looked at the programs that we are running together with the Department  for Capacity Building in helping the GOSS, including building government institutions , capacitating senior government officials, and training of the police etc

Lastly we have met with Pres. Kirr, of GOSS, he had also reiterated the commitment of the SPLM to the full implementation of the CPA. He had also raised concerns on some aspects of the implementation CPA that are beginning to serve as obstacles towards full implementation and. raised concerns on actual preparations for the forthcoming Elections and Referendum in the nearest future.

We remain quite hopeful that these obstacles can be removed.

We have also agreed to continue to discuss the possibility of a formation of a Political Consultative Forum between, South Africa, and the Government of Sudan and GOSS to see how we could in a small way play a role in making sure that there is a full implementation here. Whatever we end up doing, we will have to keep IGAD informed but also in consultation with IGAD as they have been very much in the forefront and have actually played a midwife role in the signing of the CPA.

 Response of HE Mr. Oyai Deng Ajak, Minister of Regional Corporation

The Government Of Southern Sudan –Sudanese People’s Liberation Movement ( SPLM), is very grateful to the visit that was carried out today by the delegation of South Africa and leadership of Madam Mashabane with her colleague( Minister Chabane)

They had fruitful discussions with senior members of the SPLM and of course the President. The ANC has been engaged in the search for Peace for Sudan for a very long long time and we very much appreciate and are grateful for the continuous support that SA has given to us.

 We have discussed the way forward on what effective role does the ANC and the Government of South Africa can now do in the remaining period, we have agreed with the idea of a Political Consultative Political Forum and will engage the National Congress Party in Khartoum and the SPLM here and we hope this will fast track the implementation of the CPA.

 I  Thank you!

For more information, contact Nomfanelo Kota on + 27 82 459 3787

Prepared by the Public Diplomacy Unit
c/o South African Embassy
Juba
Sudan