Thank you very much, hon Speaker. Hon Koornhof, we are reasonably satisfied that preparations for the referendum are progressing fairly well.
As the hon member is aware, Sudan was mired in conflict for many years. Through mediation efforts, mainly by the African Union, the main political parties signed the historic Comprehensive Peace Agreement on 9 January 2005.
In terms of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, the National Congress Party and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement agreed to work together to address the causes of conflict in different parts of the country. Indeed, the two parties have formed a government of national unity to govern the Sudan as a whole, whilst the Sudan People's Liberation Movement also governs Southern Sudan. Part of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement is that a referendum be held to give the people of Southern Sudan the opportunity to decide whether to remain part of the Sudan or to secede. Thank you.