Pretoria - South Africa's International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane believes the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed in 2005 in Sudan could still be realised.
She was speaking at a conference, organised by the United States government on Tuesday, where different countries debated on how to forge ahead with the task of supporting the peace process in the Sudan.
The minister said the conference should be used to identify key obstacles that block the implementation of the CPA while also urging the international community to come up with effective mechanisms for resolving the challenges facing the Sudanese.
"We think the people of Sudan have waited for too long for peace," said Minister Nkoana-Mashabane.
Sudan has been engulfed in civil conflict for almost all of its 48 years of independence. The conflict between the north and the south, erupted in 1955, has severely damaged that country's progress while scores of people have lost their lives in the decades long civil war.
Former South African President Thabo Mbeki has been instrumental in forging peace in that country and according to the CPA document; the north and south were urged to maintain separate armed forces.
After 21 years of war the issue was no longer whether transformation was necessary but rather how to ensure mutual obligation by all stakeholders.
"The people of Sudan have been waiting for four years to see peace through the democratic transformation of government at all levels," said the minister.
Progress on the key outstanding issues required a sound relationship between Sudanese main political players, the National Congress Party and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement.
The relationship should be based on trust, mutual respect and cooperation.
"We urge the parties to do more to build trust and mutual respect through dialogue. The people of Sudan cannot continue to be deprived of the peace dividend promised by the CPA," she said.
The minister further said South Africa remained committed to supporting the peace process in the Sudan.
"We will continue to play our part in the post-conflict reconstruction and development of the Sudan with special emphasis on the southern Sudan and other war affected areas," added Minister Nkoana-Mashabane.
