Sudan News Agency

 Khartoum, August 15 (SUNA) - Vice President of the Republic, Ali Osman Mohamed Taha, received the Chairman of the African Union Panel for Sudan and former President of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki, at his residence in Khartoum Saturday evening

Mbeki said in a statement to the press following the meeting that he discussed with the Vice President of the Republic the progress in implementation the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and the latest developments concerning bthe referendum of south Sudan and the issue of Abyei

He said that the Vice President briefed him on the preparations for conducting the referendum

Mbeki announced that he will visit Juba in the coming two days to meet the First Vice President and President of the Government of South Sudan Gen. Salva Kiir Mayrdit, to discuss with him the same issues and to get acquainted with the views of the two sides so as to follow the developments in these issues

Mbeki said that the Vice President has affirmed the commitment of the government to holding the referendum as scheduled, describing the meeting as very good

Regarding the demarcation of borders, Mbeki said that the Presidency is awaiting a report of the Committee on Border demarcation

MF/MO