A delegation from the Embassy of Japan to Khartoum made a five-day visit to four Sudanese states to assess progress in implementing the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) ahead of the country's rapidly approaching referenda.

Led by Political Officer Yukiko Fujisawa, the delegation held discussions with state and UN officials as well as representatives of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) in Abyei, Juba in Central Equatoria, Rumbek in Lakes and Wau in Western Bahr El Ghazal states.

The purpose of the visits, held between 25 and 30 June, was to assess political and security issues pre- and post-referenda as well as to gauge progress in peace consolidation in Southern Sudan and Abyei.

The CPA stipulates that, at the end of a six-year interim period, a referendum organized jointly by the SPLM and National Government will determine unity with the north or secession of the south. A referendum in Abyei will ascertain whether the area becomes part of the north or south.

In Wau, the political officer met with Western Bahr El-Ghazal Acting Governor John Peter Miskin.

"My government is ready to help both parties to fulfill what they signed in 2005 and to provide financial support for the referendum," Ms. Fujisawa said. "Although the way forward to the referenda is challenging, our government commits to support the people of the Sudan to have the referenda as stipulated in the CPA."

She added that the Japanese Government was looking into the possibility of sending an observer mission for the southern referendum, scheduled to take place in January 2011.

"We are also considering the expansion of our bilateral support to regional states," Ms. Fujisawa said.

Since the signing of the CPA, Japan has played a key role in peace building and development efforts in Southern Sudan.

The Japanese Government has pledged to give an emergency grant of $8 million to the UN Development Programme (UNDP) to assist in preparations for and implementation of the referenda.