This assessment was made by Assistant Secretary-General for peacekeeping operations, Edmund Mullet in his briefing of the Security Council today.
Mr. Mullet introduced the latest report of the Secretary-General on the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, the CPA, between the government of Sudan and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement in January 2005.
He said no major ceasefire violations have occurred during the reporting period and the security situation remains relatively calm in Southern Sudan.
"The parties have a common interest in keeping the CPA on track as neither can afford to return to armed conflict. They cooperate on a host of issues and interact on a daily basis in government institutions and security mechanisms. Nevertheless they continue to postpone and delay the implementation of the more difficult aspects of the CPA."
Edmund Mullet says that preparations for and the holding of free and fair elections in Sudan will be a major challenge.
This is Dianne Penn for United Nations Radio.
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