11 August 2004

President Thabo Mbeki says the government will dispatch trains to war-torn Sudan to help transport humanitarian aid to the southern region of Darfur.

Mbeki, speaking in Pretoria at a ceremony to receive credentials from foreign representatives to South Africa, said rail utility Spoornet was working on plans to ensure that the engines were delivered to the strife-torn country.

Humanitarian organisations working in the area have cited logistics such as transportation as a major obstruction to delivering aid to victims of the civil war.

South Africa is leading efforts to ensure the post-conflict reconstruction of Sudan under the auspices of the African Union.

"There is a firm commitment in Africa to ensure that we contribute everything to end the conflict in Darfur", Mbeki said, adding that there was a need to ensure that the process moved rapidly.

He said everybody wanted to see Sudan playing a bigger role in addressing continental challenges as it had the potential to be an important role player in the international community.

Mbeki is scheduled to visit Sudan in December.

Sudanese Ambassador Kuol Alor Kuol expressed appreciation for South Africa's efforts to rehabilitate Darfur, reaffirming his country's pledge to resolve the conflict that has claimed the lives of over 50 000 people and displaced 1.2 million others.

Mbeki, who also received credentials from US Ambassador Jendayi Fraser, stressed the importance of the relationship between South Africa and the US, saying South Africa would continue to count on the US to extend a helping hand in dealing with the apartheid legacy.

He said the same applied to the continent, which could not meet all its challenges on its own, though it wished to fight its own battles.

"We have been pleased by the response from the US. Whenever we sought help they have always been very cooperative and quick to respond", Mbeki said.

Other representatives who presented their credentials included High Commissioner Medhavy Thancanamootoo from Mauritius and German Ambassador Harro Adt.

Source: BuaNews

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