President Al-Bashir: Sudan and South Africa Agreed on Continuity of Cooperation and Consultation between them to Follow up CPA Implementation

SUNA- President of the Republic, Field Marshal Omer Al-Bashir, has announced the agreement between Sudan and South Africa on continuity of the cooperation and consultation between them and formation of a joint minor committee of different parties, especially the National Congress, Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) and South African to follow up the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).

At the joint press conference he held Tuesday at the Republican Palace with the visiting President of South Africa, Thapo Mbeki, President Al-Bashir congratulated the South African President for the great accomplishment that he realized by the settlement of the crisis in Zimbabwe.

He said that the settlement of the crisis in Zimbabwe provided a message to all nations and foreign forces on the capability of the Africans to solve their own issues. President Al-Bashir appreciated the concern of President Mbeki and the government and people of South Africa with the situation in Sudan and its efforts to realize comprehensive peace.

He said that the President of South Africa was informed about situation in Sudan concerning the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), the situation in Darfur, the issue of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the relations between Sudan and Chad.

He also lauded the stances of South Africa in support of Sudan at the regional and international forums. President Al-Bashir said that wide strides have been made regarding the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) despite a number of challenges that faced its implementation.

He explained that the issue of Abyei was the major issue that confronted the peace agreement, indicating that the difference between the National Congress and the SPLM on Abyei happened because the experts have surpassed their jurisdiction in this regard. He said that the two parties were able, through joint wok, to reach a road map agreement on Abyei issue, which is now being implemented.

He pointed out that the demarcation of the border between the north and the south would begin after the rainfall season. President Al-Bashir referred to the ratification of the Elections Act and the ongoing consultations to form the Commission for the Elections toward holding the elections in the determined time. He said that the final stage in the CPA implementation will be the referendum on the future of south Sudan which is due to be held by the end of the interim period in the year 2011, wishing that the referendum result will be in favour of the united Sudan.