S/PV.6583 Security Council

I want to congratulate the Security Council on having taken another important step on the historic journey of nationhood for the Republic of South Sudan. We are on the eve of welcoming our 193rd Member State to the United Nations. Let me just say very quickly how proud I was to attend the Independence Day celebration in Juba. It was an exciting and deeply moving occasion. The people of South Sudan endured a 21-year civil war. The toll in lives lost and people displaced can be counted in the millions. Now they have a country to call their own, but in many ways the hard work has just begun. Government institutions are weak. There are tremendous challenges on every front: social services, health and education. On the day of its birth, South Sudan ranked at the bottom of almost all human development indicators. Like any newborn, South Sudan needs help. Our responsibilities are enormous, and the role of the United Nations is vital, but complicated. We have a mission in Darfur. Our mission in the Sudan must now be liquidated. Ethiopian peacekeepers have deployed in Abyei. The situation in Southern Kordofan is deeply troubling. Resolving these tensions is absolutely vital. For a viable South, we need a viable North, and vice versa. Together, South and North must face their common future as partners, not rivals. We must continue to help the new nation to become a nation and the region to consolidate its gains. This is the ultimate test of peacebuilding and nation-building. The United Nations must be at the centre, and the leadership and direction of the Security Council will be crucial in the months and years ahead. I thank the Council for its commitment.

I now give the floor to Mr. Le Roy.

At the outset, let me in my turn congratulate the Governments of the Sudan and South Sudan on this historic moment. Both parties have clearly made difficult compromises. They have shown true political courage in respecting the results of the referendum and in assuring peaceful independence for South Sudan on 9 July. The new State, as the Secretary-General just remarked, will face tremendous early challenges, including in the areas of domestic policy and security and in its relationship with the North. As mandated by the Council in resolution 1996 (2011), the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan will work closely with the Government to address those challenges, while supporting peacebuilding and extending its good offices and backing to the Government for the political transition, governance and establishment of the State’s authority. The transition to the new Mission is well under way. Ms. Hilde Johnson, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, took office on 9 July. She has been working with an initial team to set up the Mission in accordance with the Council’s mandate. The transition provides for the redeployment of assets and personnel from the North, which began several months ago, as well as the deployment of additional personnel, in compliance with resolution 1996 (2011). Headquarters here in New York is currently working closely with troop- and police-contributing countries to finalize the transition to a new mission within six months. In accordance with resolution 1990 (2011), on the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), every effort is being made to expedite the full deployment and operational capacity of the mission. We are planning an initial deployment of 1,640 troops before 20 July. Their equipment, shipped by road from El Obeid to Abyei, is on the way and scheduled to arrive before 28 July. Troops will be initially housed in existing camps of the United Nations Mission in the Sudan (UNMIS) in Abyei. In accordance with the 20 June agreement between the parties (S/2011/384*, annex) and resolution 1990 (2011), all of the armed forces are to withdraw from Abyei upon the completion of the first deployment. One of the initial tasks of the UNISFA will be to monitor the complete withdrawal of forces from all parts of Abyei. (spoke in English) The deployment of the remaining UNISFA troops and police will face several challenges. First, the rainy season has already negatively impacted movement on the road from El Obeid to Abyei and will continue until at least September. In addition, new sites must be established for the remaining troops deploying to Abyei, given the limited capacity of existing UNMIS sites. That will require negotiations with the relevant authorities, access to land and the construction of team site locations. Those factors could delay the full deployment of troops significantly and will require full cooperation by both Governments if the mission is to become fully operational before 2012. Given the uncertain time period required for the full deployment of UNISFA, it is absolutely critical that the first group of troops deployed this month be given full freedom of movement and access to all parts of Abyei, in order to carry out mandated tasks and ensure the full withdrawal of all other armed forces from the area. On 29 June, the Government of the Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North signed an Agreement on Border Security for the North-South border. The Agreement stipulates that each side will establish a demilitarized zone 10 kilometres wide, on either side of the 1 January 1956 border. The Agreement further states that UNISFA would provide force protection for an international monitoring and verification mission for the border. We are currently working closely with UNISFA and the African Union High-level Implementation Panel to develop recommendations on the way forward, to be reviewed by the Council. It is important to note that any additional role for UNISFA beyond its currently mandated tasks under resolution 1990 (2011) would require modification of its mandate to accommodate such additional responsibilities. Following the decision of the Government of the Sudan not to consent to the continued presence of UNMIS, the Mission has begun its liquidation process as mandated by the Council in its resolution 1997 (2011), adopted on 11 July. As of 9 July, the Mission ceased operations and is working to expedite the withdrawal of troops, police and civilians. While the Mission is planning to withdraw all troops within the two-month time frame provided by the Council, we envision approximately six months for the full withdrawal of all personnel and assets from the Sudan. In that context, we remain deeply concerned by the situation in Southern Kordofan, where ongoing reports of fighting indicate that civilian lives continue to be at risk. The African Union High-level Implementation Panel and UNMIS have urged both parties to agree to and implement an immediate cessation of hostilities agreement. However, despite a 28 June framework Agreement laying out the broader path to eventual political and security arrangements, hostilities have continued and humanitarian access has been extremely limited. It is therefore even more critical that the parties come to an immediate agreement to cease hostilities in Southern Kordofan and move towards political dialogue to address the needs and grievances of the populations in both States. It is also important that the parties work to resolve the unfinished processes of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and post- independence issues, including the final status of Abyei, popular consultations in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile states, oil revenue-sharing, financial transitional arrangements and border security and demarcation. A rapid and peaceful resolution of these issues will play a key role in ensuring long-term stability in both countries and in the whole region. I would like to conclude by reiterating on behalf of the Secretary-General his congratulations to the Republic of South Sudan for its independence and to welcome it in advance into the United Nations as its 193rd Member.

I thank Mr. Le Roy for his briefing. I now give the floor to His Excellency Mr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon, Vice-President of the Republic of South Sudan. Mr. Machar Teny-Dhurgon: I am very grateful for the opportunity to address the Security Council on this important and most auspicious occasion. At the outset, I wish to convey to the members of the Council the profound gratitude of the people and Government of the Republic of South Sudan for having just recommended to the General Assembly that the Republic of South Sudan be admitted as the newest Member of the United Nations (see S/PV.6582). I am particularly grateful to you, Mr. President, and to the German Government, for having championed this process and for presiding over that historic vote. I would also like to recognize Germany’s efforts as Chair of the Security Council Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict, and in particular its advocacy with regard to the demobilization of child soldiers, which we also fully support. I also wish to thank the many Council members that have already recognized the Republic of South Sudan and to acknowledge the role of the United States and the United Kingdom in having provided stewardship for the Council’s consideration of the situation in the Sudan over a number of years. By virtue of my President’s letter to the Secretary-General dated 9 July 2011 (S/2011/418, annex), the Republic of South Sudan has accepted the obligations under the Charter of the United Nations and has undertaken to fulfil them. The Republic of South Sudan will be a responsible member of the international community and will respect its obligations under international law. We are working to accede as quickly as possible to all relevant international conventions and treaties, not the least of which to those related to human rights. My Government remains completely committed to the full and final implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), particularly in respect of Abyei and borders. At this important juncture, I would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere thanks to all of those who contributed to the negotiation and signing of the CPA, including the United States, Kenya, Ethiopia, the United Kingdom, Norway and many others, including, of course, the United Nations itself. The CPA implementation process has involved many challenges and we are grateful to President Thabo Mbeki, Prime Minister Meles Zenawi and Special Representative of the Secretary-General Haile Menkerios, among others, for their dedicated work in support of the process. We also thank Secretary- General Ban Ki-moon for his constant focus on the full implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. We express our appreciation to the members of the Security Council for establishing the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) and to the Government of Ethiopia for committing forces to this mission. We call for their rapid deployment. The Agreement on Temporary Arrangements between the parties on Abyei needs to be implemented. We also call on the Council to ensure that the political and security road map for the two areas, which was signed in Addis Ababa by the Republic of Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North, is fully implemented. We also thank the Council for adopting resolution 1990 (2011) mandating a new peace consolidation mission in South Sudan. We look forward to working closely with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ms. Hilde Johnson, on the modalities for the United Nations presence in our country. It is our deepest and most sincere wish to resolve all outstanding matters between North and South swiftly and peacefully. We remain committed to working out our differences through dialogue and in a spirit of cooperation, and we welcome the support of the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel in this regard. In particular, we must agree on mechanisms for continued cooperation, the five remaining disputed areas of the border, demarcation and mutually beneficial management of the common border, and the final status of Abyei. We will also continue to work together with the Republic of the Sudan to ensure that there is justice for the people of Darfur and Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile states. There can be no stability in either the Sudan or South Sudan without a new political dispensation in the two areas and Darfur, as well as the full implementation of the Abyei Protocol. Our fundamental hope and desire is to see peaceful coexistence between the two neighbouring States of the Sudan and South Sudan. We will strive to build a future in which our two countries can work cooperatively, live in peace with one another and be mutually supportive. At home, we must first and foremost fulfil our responsibility to provide security and extend the rule of law, and we welcome the support of the new United Nations Mission in this regard. We have made a solemn commitment to democracy, pluralism, inclusiveness, the rule of law, and freedom of thought, belief and expression. We will embrace tolerance and unity. Our new permanent constitution will fulfil the aspirations of all of our people. We now dedicate ourselves completely to the task of building our nation. We thank the members of the Security Council for their continued focus on and interest in our country, their concern for our citizens and their dedication to peace and security in our region. We look forward to continuing to work closely with all of the members of the Council in the years to come.

I now give the floor to the representative of the Sudan.

I commend my brother Mr. Reik Machar Teny-Dhurgon, Vice-President of the Republic of South Sudan, and my brothers the members of delegations, ministers and representatives of members of the Security Council. I would like at the outset to express my great esteem and appreciation to the head of the delegation of the Republic of South Sudan and to extend my congratulations on the independence of his State. As was pointed out by His Excellency President Al-Bashir of the Sudan in his historic statement in Juba during the celebration of the independence of the State of South Sudan, “our participation with our brothers and sisters from the South in sharing this joyous occasion is a celebration of stability and unity, the shared values we hold most dear, the labours of our founding fathers and the leaders of the liberation of Africa, who worked to achieve the dream of unity in Africa. This occasion confirms that unity is not achieved by force or war. The will of the peoples of the South must be respected.” Those are the principles on which we stand in accepting the right to self-determination of the South and in striving to strengthen peaceful ties. The Sudan was one of the first States to recognize the results of the referendum in January, and we were also the first State to recognize the new State of South Sudan, as officially declared on 8 July in Khartoum. We are now in a state of peaceful coexistence and good- neighbourly relations, in conformity with the four principles outlined by the President of the Republic in his speech in Juba: “What we have achieved in recent years is a reflection of our common commitment to peace and respect for the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. That Agreement must be respected and protected by sustaining and consolidating peace through good-neighbourly relations, honouring our common interests in trade and economic relations, and nurturing our shared psychological bonds.” Finally, we would like to reiterate our congratulations to our brothers and sisters in the Republic of South Sudan, and reaffirm our joint responsibility to guarantee a prosperous, flourishing future for the two States. I must also address my thanks on this occasion to all international partners — the African Union, the League of Arab States, the European Union, the United Nations and the Security Council — that have offered us their gracious aid in order to enable us to achieve the objectives of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. I also thank the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel, led by President Thabo Mbeki, and Mr. Haile Menkerios for their work. I would also like to predict that the coming time will see a new impetus in South Sudan to play its pioneering role and make its contribution as part of the international family, holding its head high. We assure the international community that we shall strive to strengthen relations based on joint mutual interests. We are proud to have kept our promises to our brothers and sisters in the South, and we ask the international community to reconsider the situation overall. We call on the European Union and the United States to help the Republic of South Sudan. A page has been turned, leaving behind the bitterness and war of the past. At the same time, the commitments made in the past must be honoured and implemented as we seek to reinforce trust and reciprocity between States. We hope that all promises will be kept. In this regard, we call for the end of unilateral sanctions, for the forgiveness of debt and for aid to areas in conflict. Finally, we would like to assure our brothers and sisters in the South that we have moved beyond the history of war and bitterness that was part of the past. We now look towards a future in which we will cooperate in order to bear witness to our common heritage and history so as to guarantee the future. Separation is not a disconnection. The ties that bind us are stronger than ever, and we will work with our brothers and sisters in South Sudan to achieve prosperity, establish the new State and ensure the prosperity of the peoples of both the North and the South. We are all Sudanese. As we say in the Sudan, when a family gets bigger, it lives in more than one house. Now we have two houses — one in the North and one in the South.

I now give the floor to the members of the Council.

At the outset, let me express my gratitude to you, Mr. President, and to the delegation of Germany for initiating this important debate. I thank Secretary- General Ban Ki-moon for his remarks. I would also like to thank Under-Secretary-General Alain Le Roy for his insightful briefing. We welcome the participation of His Excellency Mr. Riek Machar Teny- Dhurgon, Vice-President of the Republic of South Sudan, and of His Excellency Ambassador Daffa-Alla Elhag Ali Osman, Permanent Representative of the Republic of the Sudan to the United Nations. I would like to join others in congratulating the Government and the people of South Sudan on independence and the formation of a new State, the Republic of South Sudan. The Republic of South Sudan is the result of the aspirations and the will of the people of South Sudan, who exercised their right to self-determination in a referendum in January this year, in accordance with the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, which ended the longest civil war in Africa. The new State symbolizes their determination to govern their future and build a successful and prosperous nation. Like every new nation at the beginning of its journey, the Republic of South Sudan requires the adequate support of the international community, which should be based on real needs and conditions on the ground. At the same time, Bosnia and Herzegovina firmly believes that international assistance must be accompanied by strong national ownership, particularly when it comes to capacity-building and economic development. Bearing in mind that the Government of the Republic of South Sudan has requested the continued presence of the United Nations following the declaration of independence, it is important to establish an effective partnership between the authorities of South Sudan and the United Nations at an early stage in order to make the complex task of peacebuilding and stabilization more efficient. It is evident that that will require a long-term commitment, in which the international community and the United Nations system must ensure sufficient resources in providing support to South Sudan. Bosnia and Herzegovina fully supports the establishment of the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS). We are convinced that, within its mandate, the Mission will significantly contribute to the stabilization and consolidation of the State. We would like to encourage UNMISS, in close cooperation and coordination with the African Union, the African Development Bank, the European Union and the World Bank, to provide assistance to the Republic of South Sudan in strengthening its capacity, as well as in supporting the reforms necessary for long- term stability and South Sudan’s economic, political and social development. As for relations between the Republic of South Sudan and the Sudan, which are the cornerstone of subregional stability, the two States should remain committed to the peaceful resolution of outstanding issues. The nature of future bilateral relations will depend directly on the resolution of outstanding issues. In that regard, we call upon the Governments of the Republic of South Sudan and the Sudan to continue their commitments to negotiations and to laying a foundation for friendly and dynamic relations between them. Two viable and prosperous States, living in peace and security, would significantly contribute to the stability and economic development of the entire region. Furthermore, we are convinced that every open issue should be resolved on the basis of mutual understanding of and respect for the interests of both sides. The interconnection of people on both sides of the border in their everyday lives dictates vibrant cooperation between the Republic of South Sudan and the Sudan. For that reason, mutual trust and sincere cooperation must be the crucial ingredients of future bilateral relations. From the regional perspective, it is important that, from the very beginning, the Republic of South Sudan engage constructively with neighbouring States to address the major threats to peace and security in the subregion. Coordinating the activities of the countries of the region will significantly contribute to the consolidation of peace and the prevention of conflicts, and will be essential to addressing cross-border challenges, including arms trafficking and the activities of illegal armed groups. The international community must also stand by to support the development of the Sudan and the Republic of South Sudan as an important element in the stabilization of that part of Africa. In conclusion, I would like to call upon the international community and Member States to extend their support to the people of the Republic of South Sudan as they endeavour to meet existing challenges in consolidating peace, building their State and laying a foundation for the socio-economic development of their country.

Let me express my satisfaction at seeing you, Mr. President, preside over this Council during the month of July. Let me also congratulate you on promoting this historic meeting on the recommendation for admission of a new Member State, the Republic of South Sudan, to the United Nations. I thank Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for his intervention and Under-Secretary-General Alain Le Roy for his briefing, and extend my warm greetings to His Excellency Mr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhugon, Vice- President of the Republic of South Sudan, and to His Excellency Ambassador Ali Osman, Permanent Representative of the Republic of the Sudan. In expressing support for South Sudan’s application for United Nations membership, Brazil renews its historical and cultural bonds with Africa, as well as its commitment to the continent’s economic, social and political development. We look forward to the promotion of solid relations with the South Sudanese authorities and people, which we believe will yield benefits for both our nations. Brazil is ready to cooperate with South Sudan in areas that may contribute to its sustainable development. An important step was taken with the visit of the official representative of President Dilma Rousseff, the Under-Secretary in charge of African Affairs, to the Independence Day ceremonies that took place in Juba on 9 July and the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries that very day. Our representative was honoured to have participated in an historic event that reflected the self-confidence of the South Sudanese people as they celebrated the hard- earned opportunity to build a brighter future. It is an honour for me to address the Security Council on an occasion in which the United Nations, including the Council, played a significant role. That accomplishment builds on a track record of involvement in the region, comprising the Sudan and South Sudan, of often creative and courageous undertakings. I particularly recall Operation Lifeline Sudan, which brought relief to many thousands of civilians in need. As Brazil understands, that operation is a lasting example of the concept of responsibility to protect put to use with a broader perspective that does not necessarily involve military means. Brazil presided over this Council in March 2005, when the United Nations Mission in the Sudan was established (see S/PV.5151) to assist the parties in implementing the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). More recently, also under the Brazilian presidency, the Council held a meeting to welcome the peaceful conduct of the referendum, in which the South Sudanese people chose to establish an independent State (see S/PV.6468). Today, we meet to celebrate the implementation of that decision. Tribute must be paid, first and foremost, to the two parties to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. The authorities and the peoples of the Republic of South Sudan and of the Republic of the Sudan demonstrated political courage in working towards this moment. They proved wrong those who thought they could not work together for common goals. They remind the Council that it can effectively fulfil its responsibilities under the Charter through negotiated diplomatic solutions. We must also recognize the leadership role played in the early negotiations by the African Union and the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development. The African Union has given proof of its ability to engage actors in a complex, lengthy process, one that tested the resilience of its institutions. We believe that the African Union is an example of political coordination and integration that offers important lessons to other areas of the world. In South America, attention is certainly being paid to the African example by members of the Union of South American Nations, including my own country, Brazil. Many other international actors, including non-governmental organizations, deserve credit for their contribution to the implementation of the CPA, in particular the referendum and the transition to an independent South Sudan. As we celebrate South Sudan’s independence, we must not forget the many challenges that still lie ahead. Brazil strongly encourages the leaders to settle their remaining differences through peaceful means and to put their long-term interests ahead of other considerations. We encourage the parties to redouble their efforts to reach agreements on all outstanding issues, particularly on the final status of Abyei, on settling the North-South border, on wealth-sharing arrangements and on the immediate and unconditional cessation of hostilities in Southern Kordofan. Brazil believes that the vision of a democratically transformed Sudan can continue to inspire both countries. The leaders of South Sudan, who have endured a long struggle for autonomy, will certainly see the importance of ensuring that this achievement is translated into improved political participation and improved conditions for all South Sudanese. As the Security Council stated on 11 February (see S/PRST/2011/4), security and development are closely interlinked and mutually reinforcing for the attainment of durable peace. As both the Sudan and South Sudan continue to face the challenges of nation- building, the international community should increase its support to both Juba and Khartoum. We are glad to note that the Economic and Social Council and the Peacebuilding Commission have started to consider how best to assist the Sudanese people. We are also pleased that resolution 1996 (2011), which established the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan, envisages the kind of coherent and integrated support to post-conflict countries called for in the presidential statement to which I just referred, during whose adoption I had the honour to preside over the Council. I must also refer to the appointment of Ms. Hilde Johnson as Special Representative of the Secretary- General, who I believe is particularly well-positioned, given her wide-ranging experience, to provide expertise and leadership. Brazil encourages those who have not yet done so to take steps to normalize economic relations with the Sudanese. We support calls for debt relief. We also urge all development partners to step up bilateral and multilateral support. In the context of the India, Brazil and South Africa (IBSA) group, these three countries are negotiating three cooperation projects that we believe will benefit the people of South Sudan. Our countries also intend to work with the Sudan in the framework of the IBSA fund. As part of Brazil’s renewed engagement with the African continent, our relations with the Republic of the Sudan have intensified in the past few years. Bilateral cooperation projects and private partnerships, which aim at developing the country’s potential in the area of agriculture, are showing impressive results. In 2009, the Sudan became the first country in its region to produce and export ethanol with Brazilian technology. Other promising projects involve cotton and soy. We are also convinced that agriculture can play a pivotal role in the future of South Sudan. As we are all aware, the country has immense potential in terms of land, climate, water and human resources. In our bilateral meetings, the authorities of South Sudan have indicated that agriculture will be a priority. Given the potential of both countries, efforts towards promoting rural development in the Sudan and South Sudan can benefit the whole north-east of Africa, where food security remains a challenge, thereby generating a series of positive economic and social spin-offs. The independence of South Sudan is an event that evokes many of the traits of the African spirit, which we have come to respect and admire: endurance, courage and wisdom. As the new nation embarks on a journey to build a free, democratic, prosperous and peaceful home for its deserving people, South Sudan will require the active support of the United Nations and its individual Members. Brazil looks forward to playing its part in that process.

We welcome the presence of His Excellency Mr. Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations, at this historic meeting, and we thank him for his statement. We also thank Mr. Alain Le Roy, Under-Secretary- General for Peacekeeping Operations, for his briefing. We welcome the statements by His Excellency Mr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon, Vice-President of the Republic of South Sudan, and His Excellency Ambassador Osman, Permanent Representative of the Republic of the Sudan. On behalf of the Government and people of South Africa, we congratulate the Government and people of South-Sudan on the independence they achieved on 9 July 2011. That was indeed a historic moment for the African continent and the people of South Sudan in their struggle for self-determination. For years, the people of South Africa, on the basis of our own history, have identified with the aspirations and desire of the people of South Sudan for independence, freedom, justice and self-determination. On 9 July, the Government of South Africa officially recognized the Republic of South Sudan as a sovereign and independent State. We hope that the independence of South Sudan will serve as an inspiration to the millions of oppressed peoples across the globe who continue to suffer under occupation and colonialism. The signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), in 2005, was a major achievement for the people of South Sudan in their struggle for freedom, as well as in the international community’s efforts to bring about a peaceful end to the conflict in the Sudan. The holding of elections in April 2010 and the referendum in January 2011 were significant milestones in the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. We commend the leadership of both the Sudan and South Sudan for their commitment and partnership in the successful implementation of these key pillars of the CPA. The date of 9 July will go down in history as a significant day when the world witnessed the closure of one of the most painful chapters in the lives of the Sudanese. The day equally marked a new beginning filled with hope and expectations, as South Sudan became a new independent and sovereign State. This achievement is a tribute to the late Mr. John Garang, who once stated, “I and those who joined me in the bush and fought for more than 20 years have brought to you the Comprehensive Peace Agreement on a golden plate. Our mission is accomplished. It is now your turn, especially those who did not have a chance to experience bush life”. We pay special tribute to this great African revolutionary, who unfortunately did not live to join his fellow compatriots in celebrating this milestone in the implementation of the CPA. We congratulate both President Al-Bashir and President Salva Kiir Mayardit for the exceptional leadership they have demonstrated in the six years since the signing of the CPA. We welcome the statements delivered by both Presidents in Juba on the day of independence. Those positive statements inspire hope and bode well for reconciliation and the strengthening of bilateral relations between the two sovereign and independent States, which are bound by a common history and share a common destiny as neighbours. South Africa is cognizant of the multiplicity of challenges that the new State faces immediately after its birth. South Sudan is one of the most underdeveloped and poverty-stricken nations in the world. We are certain, however, that the same amount of bravery and courage displayed by the people of South Sudan in their struggle for independence will stand them in good stead as they seek to address all the socio-economic challenges that still lie ahead. On the political front, there are still key outstanding CPA issues that need to be addressed. They include the final status of Abyei and the continuing tensions in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile states. We should not allow these outstanding issues to reverse the gains registered thus far. South Africa welcomes the Agreement signed between the Government of the Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement on Temporary Arrangements for the Administration and Security of the Abyei Area, which paved the way for the Security Council to deploy the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei. We would like to underscore, however, that the resolution of the Abyei question will go a long way towards consolidating peace and stability in the two Sudanese States. In this regard, we encourage both parties to reach a lasting agreement on Abyei and to resolve the situation in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile states. We are encouraged by the firm commitment and desire of both parties to reach an agreement on all these pertinent outstanding issues. We are cognizant of the positive impact which the successful resolution of these issues will have in laying the foundations for peaceful coexistence and good-neighbourliness. We will continue to support the efforts of the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel, under the leadership of President Mbeki, to assist the two States in resolving all outstanding issues without delay. The fact that the Republic of the Sudan was the first State to recognize the independence of the Republic of South Sudan was not only a symbolic but also a further goodwill gesture of brotherhood and friendship. In January this year, the African Union Heads of States and Governments adopted a solemn declaration extending their solidarity and that of the entire continent to the people of the Sudan, who have taken the unprecedented and generous step of accepting self-determination for their brethren. The declaration further stated that Africa legitimately looks forward to the complete normalization of relations between the international community and the Republic of the Sudan to ensure that all the peoples of the Sudan can enjoy peace, dignity, democracy and development. We cannot overstate the role played by the United Nations, particularly the Security Council, the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development and the entire international community in general towards lasting peace and stability in the Sudan. South Africa would like to make a clarion call on all those who have been involved in these efforts to continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of South Sudan as they embark on a journey of State- building, as well as for their solidarity with the Republic of the Sudan as they deal with the new reality created by the emergence of a new neighbour. In this regard, South Africa welcomes resolution 1996 (2011), adopted last week by the Council, establishing the new United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan. We are particularly pleased with the integrated nature of the new Mission, with a focus on peacebuilding and support for development based on the principle of ownership. The Mission will play a significant role in supporting the new State in laying a foundation for sustainable development. For our part, South Africa will continue to assist with the means at our disposal in building on the technical capacity-building programmes of the past five years. The sister peoples of both South Sudan and the Republic of the Sudan can continue to count on our support to help build and consolidate lasting peace and stability in that part of our continent. Together with our IBSA partners, India and Brazil, we have committed to mobilizing our own resources to support development projects both in the Sudan and in South Sudan through the IBSA Poverty Alleviation Fund. In conclusion, we are of the firm view that the resolution of the conflict in the Sudan will contribute a great deal to the comprehensive resolution of all the conflicts on the African continent. In this regard, we salute the outstanding work of the African Union High- Level Implementation Panel led by our former President Thabo Mbeki. We also pay tribute to one of our own compatriots, Special Representative of the Secretary-General Haile Menkerios, for the exceptional manner in which he discharged his duties. We are grateful to the women and men who have served in the United Nations Mission in the Sudan since its first deployment. In spite of the harsh and challenging conditions under which they served, they dedicated themselves to the noble cause of peace and stability, at times making the ultimate sacrifice. To the people of South Sudan, I say: “Your time has indeed come. It is now your turn”.

Last Saturday, I had the great honour of heading the United States delegation to Juba to celebrate South Sudan’s independence. It was a deeply moving day. After half a century of war, at a cost of more than 2 million lives, the Republic of South Sudan can now finally determine its own future. The United States salutes the courage and the sacrifice of the people of South Sudan, who never abandoned hope. After so many years of bitter conflict, South Sudan’s independence occurred peacefully and democratically through a referendum — a heartening way for the world’s newest nation to be born. I welcome Vice-President Machar and congratulate the people of the Republic of South Sudan. We are delighted that Vice-President Machar Teny-Dhurgon was here to represent his new Government at a meeting at which the Security Council unanimously recommended that his country be admitted as the United Nations 193rd Member State. We also commend the Government of the Sudan’s decision to be the first country to recognize South Sudan’s independence. We welcome all efforts to forge a relationship between the Sudan and South Sudan that is rooted in mutual respect and cooperation, and that strengthens the viability, security and prosperity of both States. By continuing on the path of peace, the Government of the Sudan can redefine its relationship with the international community and secure a brighter future for its people. The Security Council remains fully engaged in helping both countries towards their shared goals of peace and stability. On 8 July, the Council unanimously authorized the new United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS). UNMISS will assist the Government as it builds a new nation, including on issues of peacebuilding, development, security and protection. But as we all know, this moment of promise is also fragile and fraught. The Sudan and South Sudan must work hard to secure an enduring peace and two viable States coexisting as peaceful neighbours. It is vital that both countries work with the AU High-Level Implementation Panel to swiftly resolve all outstanding issues. The parties need to finalize arrangements on the border, citizenship, oil and other issues if they are to forge an enduring peace. A permanent resolution of Abyei’s status remains elusive. Despite the Agreement on Temporary Arrangements for the Administration and Security of the Abyei Area and the imminent deployment of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei, the situation in Abyei is still extremely volatile. An estimated 100,000 people remain displaced from their homes. Meanwhile, brutal fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the troops of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA)-North has displaced more than 70,000 people in Southern Kordofan. The Sudanese army is continuing and intensifying aerial bombardments that are killing civilians. On 28 June, the Government of the Sudan and the SPLA-North agreed to a framework of political and security principles for Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile states, but the Government of the Sudan’s commitment to that agreement has wavered. Both parties need to agree immediately to a cessation of hostilities. The violence, the human rights abuses and the deliberate obstruction of access for humanitarian agencies must end. Given the ongoing hostilities and abuses in Southern Kordofan and the vulnerability of neighbouring Blue Nile, we deeply regret the Government of the Sudan’s decision to compel the United Nations departure from those two states. The United Nations should be allowed to maintain a presence in those areas to help distribute humanitarian aid, protect civilians and implement any cessation-of- hostilities agreement. The challenges are great, but they are by no means insurmountable. The Security Council has done its utmost to support this process, and the Council and my Government will remain deeply engaged in supporting the Republic of South Sudan at this critical juncture and into the future. My own country’s history has taught us that it takes moral courage to attain freedom and make freedom’s promise real for all citizens, and we have learned that this work is never done. We have great faith in the people of South Sudan. We expect that they will create a Government that works for the good of all people and for the stability of the region, and thereby create a country that strengthens this community of sovereign nations. As I said in Juba on Saturday, a nation born from conflict need not live in conflict. In this spirit, and with great hope for the future of the world’s newest nation, the United States wholeheartedly supports South Sudan’s application for membership in the United Nations. Congratulations, and we look forward to welcoming South Sudan.

The Security Council is living through a historic moment today. We have recommended a new Member State for admission to the membership of the United Nations, bringing it to 193. The independence of South Sudan is a major event in the history of Africa. It represents a positive conclusion to 50 years of war that brought great suffering to all the peoples of the Sudan and led to millions of deaths. There are now great hopes for peace, which shows that negotiation and dialogue are more effective than arms and military confrontation. This new birth of an African State is the first since the period of decolonization. It represents a success for the Sudanese population as a whole and, of course, for the people of South Sudan, who in January voted unanimously for independence. It is also a success for the Government of the North and the Government of the South, which, despite the difficulties encountered, have implemented the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) of 2005. And, finally, it brings relief to the international community, which never wavered in its support for this process and now sees the possibility of a fresh start. I would underscore here the outstanding contribution made by President Mbeki and by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Menkerios. France has invested a great deal in those efforts. It supported the Naivasha process that led to the signing of the CPA in 2005. It voted for the various resolutions that accompanied its implementation, and it never ceased to engage in dialogue with the North and the South, especially when the pace of discussions among the parties to the CPA had slowed. We recognized this new State at the same time as did the African Union and all the States members of the European Union (EU), and we established diplomatic relations with it on 9 July. France will stand alongside South Sudan in ensuring the integration of this new State into the community of nations and within the United Nations, as well as within its regional environment and the multilateral financial institutions. A number of challenges remain to be met in order for South Sudan and the Sudan to develop and to establish harmonious relations. The two countries must conclude the outstanding negotiations while ensuring, along with the authorities of South Sudan, the protection of civilians. The United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS) will support South Sudan in the undertaking of its responsibilities. We fully support Ms. Johnson in that mission. In the North, certain regions remain a source of concern, such as Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile states. We hope that the Sudan will agree to the presence of the international community there. In the South, national reconciliation must take place, and the security of all inhabitants must be ensured. We must move from the centralized logic of the war years towards a pluralist democracy and build the infrastructure and institutions necessary to enable the people to emerge from poverty. The conflicts that are still being resolved today by force of arms must be settled peacefully, through democratic institutions. To that end, frameworks will have to be established; future generations must be groomed to manage the State; and robust institutions must be created. The fight against impunity in the Sudan and in South Sudan will be pivotal in order to pacify relations among citizens and between citizens and their authorities. France intends to support this new State in this connection by using all of its cooperation instruments, in coordination with the EU and its principal partners. We are very pleased today to welcome South Sudan as a member of the international community. This represents not only the conclusion of a lengthy struggle but also the beginning of a journey during which France, along with the rest of the international community, will continue to provide support.

Allow me to congratulate His Excellency Vice-President Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon and, through him, the people of South Sudan on their proclamation of independence and the creation of an independent and sovereign State. With respect to the status of the State of South Sudan, Russia has steadfastly maintained its fundamental position. Well before the referendum, we had stated that we would support the sovereign will of the people of Southern Sudan. Given the complexity of the matter, Russia refrained from bringing any pressure to bear on either of the parties, taking the view that the destiny of the country should be determined by its own people. The Russian Federation has declared its recognition of this new State — the Republic of South Sudan. Overall, the Sudanese parties were able to peacefully and in a civilized manner oversee the division of what was once the largest country in Africa. The leadership of the Sudan and South Sudan have consistently demonstrated the political will necessary to address the critical disagreements between them on the difficult path towards the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. As a result, they were able to successfully implement most of the elements contained in that Agreement. We believe that the primary challenges in the context of nation-building in South Sudan are the outstanding issues in the context of relations between Khartoum and Juba, there being a great deal of baggage in that connection, and there remains also the contentious problem of the status of the Abyei region; these are now at the inter-State level. We anticipate that in the new historical climate the leadership of both countries will shoulder their responsibility for the destiny and prosperity of their peoples and will reach a final solution to disputed issues politically, through the negotiation process. The arrangements reached in connection with the settlement of the future status of Abyei and the states of Blue Nile and Southern Kordofan should serve to strengthen the emerging positive momentum, and, to that end, the mediation efforts of the African Union must continue. Greater assistance on the part of the international community for nation-building in South Sudan will be required in order to create effective institutions of governance, counter growing internal threats and security challenges, address economic and social problems and establish an appropriate human rights regime. The United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan, established by the Security Council, will play an important role in helping the country to achieve stability. In that context, we are of the view that the Government of South Sudan has primary responsibility for strengthening peace in the country and for advancing it in terms of peacebuilding. We are also giving thought to additional economic incentives for the Republic of South Sudan, taking into account the fact that the division of a country is always quite painful and accompanied by a number of new domestic problems. This we know from our own historical experience. For its part, the Russian Federation intends to strengthen Russian-Sudanese cooperation in all areas, including the prevailing constructive and favourable atmosphere in our relationship. South Sudan’s attainment of State sovereignty opens the way for the development of Russian-South Sudan relations on the basis of the principles of equitable dialogue and respect for the sovereignty of that country. Our position is that a truly business-like partnership between our countries will be an important factor in consolidating stability and security on the African continent. We are prepared to establish diplomatic relations with the Republic of South Sudan. We expect to hold substantive negotiations in that regard in the very near future. In conclusion, we would like to express our confidence that the leadership of South Sudan will successfully establish good neighbourly relations with the Republic of the Sudan and other African States, in keeping with the interests of maintaining and strengthening peace in Central and East Africa. The Russian Federation would like to see an overall normalization of the situation in that region, which has experienced a period of extended conflict and is gradually moving towards stabilization. That is the goal of the efforts of Russia’s leadership and of its diplomacy.

I would like to thank you, Mr. President, for calling this important debate. I would also like to congratulate Germany for the exemplary way it has presided over the Security Council during this month. I would also like to thank Under-Secretary- General Le Roy for his statement and for the tireless work of the United Nations in support of peace for all of the Sudan. I would also like to thank Vice-President Machar Teny-Dhurgon and Ambassador Osman for their statements, in which they reaffirmed their commitment to good relations between their two countries, whose futures are so closely intertwined. I was especially impressed with the remark made by the representative of the Sudan a moment ago that links are as strong as ever between north and south, for they are all Sudanese. The birth of South Sudan, on 9 July, was a historic event for both the newly born State and for the Republic of the Sudan. Along with colleagues from around the world, United Kingdom Foreign Secretary William Hague was present at Juba to share in that joyous occasion. As a witness to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in 2005, the United Kingdom bore witness to the statesmanship that brought an end to 50 years of bitter civil war. Since then, as members of the Security Council all of us have witnessed the leadership shown by both parties, which delivered a peaceful referendum on the future of South Sudan and brought us to this momentous meeting today. The United Kingdom and the United Nations stand ready to assist the new State of South Sudan in delivering security and prosperity for the people. We recognize that needs are great, and time short, to make a real difference in the lives of those who have waited so long to realize the hope of a better life. The establishment of the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan, which will work with the wider United Nations family and the international community to support the Government of South Sudan, is an indication of our collective commitment to the South Sudanese people. The United Kingdom remains equally committed to assisting the Government of the Sudan in delivering security and prosperity for its people, including our engagement on Sudanese national debt and our support for United Nations peacekeeping and development assistance to the Sudan. But even as we recognize the extraordinary achievement that the Sudan and South Sudan have made in separating peacefully, many issues of vital importance to their people remain unresolved, including citizenship, wealth and oil sharing and border demarcation. As other speakers have stressed, those must be resolved without delay. I therefore welcome the commitment of both Governments to pursue negotiations urgently, with the support of the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel, under the excellent leadership of former President Mbeki. In that context, I also welcome the intention of the United Nations to provide advice to the Security Council on the implementation of the parties’ 29 June agreement on the management of the border and on the role of the United Nations mission in Abyei. As we meet to celebrate the friendship between South Sudan and the Sudan, I am particularly concerned about the people of Abyei and Southern Kordofan, who continue to suffer the agony of conflict and displacement. In Abyei, as a number of other speakers have made clear, more than 113,000 people have been displaced. With the rains setting, in, it is vital that the Agreement on Temporary Arrangements in Abyei, supported by the forthcoming deployment of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei, be implemented in full and without delay, so that those displaced can return home. In Southern Kordofan, the continued fighting and the hindering of humanitarian assistance to populations in need are completely unacceptable. The United Kingdom is also deeply concerned about reports of ongoing violations of human rights and international humanitarian law in this continuing conflict, reportedly including aerial bombardment, extra-judicial killings, forced displacement and arbitrary arrests and detention. We unreservedly condemn that ongoing violence, and call on the Government of the Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North to agree an immediate ceasefire. Furthermore, we urge the Government of the Sudan to grant immediate and full humanitarian access throughout Southern Kordofan. We reiterate our concern about the withdrawal of the United Nations Mission in the Sudan, whose mandate to protect civilians and ensure humanitarian access is, sadly, needed more than ever before at this time. In both Abyei and Southern Kordofan, the parties must work urgently to find lasting solutions that put the interests of local populations at their heart. In, Darfur too, a comprehensive peace agreement is urgently needed. We remain deeply troubled by the deteriorating security and humanitarian situation and urge all parties to cease fire immediately and to work to create the necessary conditions for peace to succeed. The challenges facing both the Sudan and South Sudan are immense. On the other hand, the opportunities for cooperation to transform the lives of all Sudanese are equally great, as the Ambassador of the Sudan pointed out. It remains the goal of the Council, which has engaged so assiduously in support of peace during the past year, to support both the Sudan and South Sudan in achieving stability and prosperity as two peaceful and economically successful States living side by side in friendship. The primary responsibility for the future of their peoples lies with them. We therefore urge both Governments to show now the leadership that delivered both the CPA and the historic events of last Saturday. In conclusion, I would like to congratulate Vice- President Machar Teny-Dhurgon on the Council’s recommendation that the General Assembly should welcome South Sudan as the newest Member of the United Nations to work in partnership with the Sudan and all Members to uphold key United Nations values and principles, including peace, tolerance, the rule of law, transparency and accountability. I am confident that South Sudan will uphold those values and thus, with pride, take up its place in the world community.

On behalf of Portugal, I would like to start by saluting the independence of the Republic of South Sudan and by welcoming this new country to the community of independent States. I am particularly pleased to greet here today His Excellencies Vice-President Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon and Ambassador Daffa-Alla Osman. The Portuguese people have a special affinity with Africa, forged by centuries of shared history. Witnessing the arrival of the new South Sudan on the world stage as an independent nation is undoubtedly a special moment for us, marking the beginning of a new phase in our relationship with both the Republic of South Sudan and the Republic of the Sudan. Portugal looks forward to continuing to work with both in building a peaceful and prosperous future for the two countries, and indeed for Africa in general. Portugal was represented at the independence ceremonies in Juba by Ambassador António Monteiro, former Portuguese Minister for Foreign Affairs and member of the Secretary-General’s panel for the monitoring of the referendum held last January. In Juba, Ambassador Monteiro conveyed a letter from the President of Portuguese Republic to the President of the Republic of South Sudan expressing wishes for peace, stability and development to the new State. I would also like to take this opportunity to recall that Portugal has already recognized the Republic of South Sudan as an independent and sovereign State, as have the other European Union member States. Portugal now looks forward to establishing diplomatic relations with the Republic of South Sudan. We also welcome the recognition of the new country by the Republic of the Sudan and by the members of the African Union. Let me also commend the Sudanese people for their peaceful determination and for the orderly way in which they expressed their will. The referendum was a milestone, not only in terms of implementing the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement but also in terms of underscoring the Sudanese people’s desire for a peaceful solution to their differences. Allow me again to voice our sincere appreciation for all the work and effort undertaken by the Secretary- General and his Special Representative Haile Menkerios, as well as by the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel and its Chair, President Thabo Mbeki, in order to help bring about the birth of the new country. We are also deeply grateful to the leaders and peacekeepers of the United Nations Mission in the Sudan for their invaluable assistance throughout the entire process, and for their dedication and commitment. The independence of the Republic of South Sudan is but a step, albeit an important one. But in order to fulfil the expectations it entails, the challenges that still remain must be addressed in an urgent and comprehensive way. That is why we encourage President Al-Bashir and President Salva Kiir Mayardit to grasp this opportunity and to spare no effort in solving all the outstanding issues between their two countries. As we have repeatedly stated, dialogue and political commitment at the highest level are what is needed in order to ensure that this historic moment becomes a time of lasting progress. We are thus encouraged by the meeting on 4 July between the two Presidents at the extraordinary session of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development on the Sudan in Addis Ababa, and by their commitment to continuing negotiations after 9 July. In that context, Portugal welcomes the recent progress the parties have made on interim agreements for Abyei and security arrangements for the border zone between the North and South. Negotiations on other issues have also continued. But we must emphasize that finding an agreement on the final status of Abyei and reaching a common understanding on key issues such as citizenship, the management of oil resources and border management are essential to ensuring a peaceful future, a mutually beneficial relationship between the two States and those States’ viability. We gave our support to the establishment of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei and share the view that North and South would benefit from the assistance of the United Nations on border issues. We also urge the two leaders to make full use of the good offices of the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel, under the leadership of President Mbeki. Unfortunately, the encouraging progress in several areas that I have just mentioned has yet to be reflected in Southern Kordofan. Like all members of the Council, Portugal has been deeply concerned about the ongoing fighting in that state, which is resulting in an alarming and increasing number of displaced persons. We condemn the lack of access for humanitarian agencies and urge all parties to grant them full and unconditional access. We also call on the two sides to follow through on the Political and Security Framework Agreement negotiated by the National Congress Party and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North to find a quick solution to the situation and put an immediate end to the hostilities. Peace and hope should be extended to all Sudanese, including those in Darfur. I therefore reiterate Portugal’s commitment to working towards improving the lives of all Darfuris. In conclusion, let me underline again that a continued commitment, engagement and spirit of close cooperation on the part of both Governments will be necessary to achieve a peaceful and prosperous future for North and South alike. The international community should also continue to provide the support and encouragement that the two States will need in the still difficult times ahead. For the immediate future, the United Nations will remain in South Sudan, and the mandate for the new United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan has been established by the Security Council. In the same way that we have supported and strongly encouraged the Organization’s presence in the South, we will continue to support all efforts that the Republic of the Sudan believes may contribute to making this new chapter equally successful for its people. Finally, let me express my best wishes to the future one hundred and ninety-third member of the General Assembly. I also hope that the new future will bring peace, stability and prosperity to all the peoples in the region. Indeed, that is the only outcome that will justly honour their past suffering and struggle, while meeting their expectations and aspirations for the future.

Allow me also to welcome the proclamation of independence for the Republic of South Sudan on 9 July. Gabon is pleased to have been a participant at the highest State level, notably through the presence of His Excellency Mr. Ali Bongo Ondimba at the ceremony marking this historic event. We, too, have officially recognized the new State of South Sudan. I welcome the presence in the Chamber of the Vice- President of the Republic of South Sudan and of the Permanent Representative of the Sudan, and I thank them for their statements. The independence of South Sudan completes the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, which is the foundation of the peace process in the Sudan. It should put an end to the long decades of tragic conflict that have led to the deaths of millions and an enormous displacement of populations. In the long and laboured quest for peace and stability in the Sudan, the international community has shown great unity and resolve. The Security Council has played a central role in the international mobilization aimed at achieving a lasting solution to the Sudanese crisis, to which we should also link the willingness of the parties to commit, through frank and constructive dialogue, to seeking a negotiated political solution to the conflict. That political will was recently affirmed by the signing of the Agreement on Abyei, following the violence that occurred in the Area. Gabon, which has always enshrined dialogue and political cooperation as basic values of its diplomacy, welcomes that progress, which should be conducive to peace and stability in this vast region of Africa. My delegation especially commends the political commitment and leadership of President Al-Bashir and President Salva Kiir Mayardit, which have been so essential to the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. We also commend the United Nations, the African Union and the entire international community for its mobilization and ongoing efforts to promote peace in the Sudan. The challenges that the new State faces in terms of nation-building are enormous. South Sudan must essentially begin at the beginning with security sector reform and the establishment of democratic institutions, the rule of law and respect for human rights. Add to that the economic development of the country, the provision of basic services for the people and sound management of natural resources. To that end, the creation of the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan, established in accordance with resolution 1996 (2011), is a basic tool in the process of building this new State. The role of the new Mission will be to assist the country in strengthening peace and security and creating a stable economic environment. Euphoria over the birth of the Republic of South Sudan should not lead us to overlook the fact that there are still many outstanding issues. Both parties have yet to agree on the post-secession arrangements. The demarcation of the border separating the two States, citizenship and wealth-sharing are essential issues that must be resolved. Good-neighbourly relations and peaceful coexistence between the two States will depend on this. The final status of the Abyei Area and the ongoing fighting in Southern Kordofan are other sources of concern. Nevertheless, Gabon particularly welcomes the negotiations that took place in Addis Ababa between the Government of the Sudan and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North that led to the establishment of a Framework Agreement on a political partnership between the two parties and the setting up of political and security arrangements in Blue Nile and Southern Kordofan states. Gabon urges both parties to continue efforts to achieve final solutions to all of these outstanding issues. In view of South Sudan’s efforts and work to build a new State, our support on all issues should not wane. For its part, Gabon looks forward to enhanced diplomatic relations with the Republic of South Sudan.

It gives me great pleasure to welcome Vice-President Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon and the other members of his delegation to the Council on this historic occasion. I also wish to welcome to the Security Council the Ministers from Brazil, Bosnia-Herzegovina, South Africa, Germany, France, Portugal, the Russian Federation and the United Kingdom. Their presence in our midst today underlines the importance we all attach to this occasion. I would like to thank Under-Secretary- General Le Roy and my colleague, the Permanent Representative of the Sudan, His Excellency Mr. Ali Osman, for their comprehensive statements. Sixty-four years ago, India’s first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, declared, “at the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom. A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends, and when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance”. Today is one such moment of a tryst being kept with destiny when, after a long struggle, the voice of the people of South Sudan has found expression. Let me at the outset convey the Government of India’s warm welcome to the new State of South Sudan, born on 9 July after a peaceful and transparent referendum where the people of South Sudan voted to form a new State. Our Vice-President, His Excellency Mr. Hameed Ansari, participated in the joyous celebrations in Juba on 9 July. The Government of India commends the leaders of both the Sudan and South Sudan, who have shown exemplary patience and maturity in order to see the fulfilment of this important Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) landmark, which India supported from its very beginning in 2005. We therefore convey our congratulations to both parties for successfully marching to this day. India and the Sudan share the most cordial of relations. We are deeply committed to the development, peace and prosperity of the Sudan. It is in that context that India welcomes the developments over the past year in the Sudan that have brought peace closer to this troubled land. In particular, we welcome the emergence of South Sudan as a new State, the newest member of the international community and soon the one-hundred and ninety-third State Member of the United Nations. As a member of the Security Council, it has been our great pleasure to be associated with the adoption today of resolution 1999 (2011), which will lead to the General Assembly accepting the Council’s recommendation on South Sudan’s application for United Nations membership. We look forward to South Sudan joining the United Nations as a full-fledged Member as of tomorrow. India and the Sudan have deep-rooted ties. For over 100 years, people of Indian origin have made the Sudan their home. Nearly 10,000 persons of Indian origin live in Khartoum, Omdurman, Wad Madani and Port Sudan. The economic interaction between our two countries is substantial and our two-way trade amounts to approximately $1 billion per year — the largest among the countries of Africa. India was one of the first Asian countries to open a consulate in Juba. It will soon be upgraded to an embassy. We look forward to the continued growth and diversification of these relations as the two Sudans chart their independent destinies. There have recently been exchanges of high-level visits from both sides. These interactions have facilitated substantial exchanges of views for charting the course of action and future road map for intensifying our relations with both Khartoum and Juba. For India, the two entities of Sudan taken together remain a major force and partner in Africa. The recent India-Africa Forum Summit held in Addis Ababa testifies to our commitment to working together with our African friends for the collective development of Africa. India was witness to the Naivasha Agreement of January 2005, which established the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. We have watched the progress made in its implementation with keen interest and are happy to see an important CPA landmark achieved with South Sudan’s independence. We are sure that outstanding CPA issues, like the status of Abyei, among others, will also be dealt with by both sides in the same spirit of cooperation and mutual accommodation. In that regard, we deeply appreciate the work done by Special Representative of the Secretary-General Menkerios in overseeing the implementation of the CPA and maintaining peace in the region. We are happy to note the agreement between both sides to demilitarize Abyei, which demonstrates the will of the two sides to jointly move ahead towards a negotiated settlement. In keeping with this spirit of seeing a peaceful and prosperous region, we also support all ongoing efforts towards achieving peace in the Sudan, including the Darfur issue. We would like this issue to be resolved soon. Our appreciation is due to the State of Qatar and the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel on the Sudan, led by Mr. Thabo Mbeki, who has played a very significant role in that regard. India has been one of the largest troop- contributors to the United Nations Mission in the Sudan (UNMIS), in addition to the notable contribution of Indian police officers to both UNMIS and the Government of South Sudan. We recently pledged $5 million for development assistance to South Sudan as well as other capacity- building projects under our aid to Africa and India- Africa Forum Summit programmes. The Sudan is a major beneficiary under India’s technical and economic cooperation programme. To continue our engagement with South Sudan under this programme, 75 additional positions have recently been announced for South Sudan. The Pan-African e-Network Project undertaken by India in Africa has been a huge success. We are considering extending the entire package of Pan- African e-Network, including its tele-medicine and tele-education components, to South Sudan. As already indicated by the Foreign Minister of Brazil, India also intends to work alongside Brazil and South Africa as part of the India, Brazil and South Africa (IBSA) group and drawing on the IBSA Fund, on projects that benefit the peoples of both the Sudan and South Sudan. We recognize that the Sudan and South Sudan will face enormous challenges in the years ahead as they chart their independent destinies. For its part, India is ready to assist this process, both on a bilateral basis and on the basis of its rapidly growing interaction with Africa. On behalf of the Government and the people of India, may I once again congratulate the leadership of both the Sudan and South Sudan on their statesmanship and their commitment to peace and to the welfare of their peoples. India stands ready to extend all possible assistance on their path to progress and prosperity.

I thank Germany for its initiative in convening today’s meeting. I welcome Vice-President Riek Machar Teny- Dhurgon of the Republic of South Sudan to today’s meeting. I also thank him for his statement. I would also like to thank Under-Secretary-General Le Roy and Ambassador Osman, Permanent Representative of the Sudan, for their statements. On 9 July, the Republic of South Sudan officially proclaimed its formation. The Chinese Government and people would like to extend our warm congratulations. Their present progress was achieved through a great deal of assiduous effort. In promoting the peace process between South Sudan and the Sudan and in implementing the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), the leaders and peoples of those two countries have shown exceptional wisdom, courage and unwavering will. The birth of the Republic of South Sudan gives expression to the common desire and autonomous choice of the people of that State. It is a major result of the peace process in the Sudan; it will promote lasting peace and stability in the region and is of great historical significance. The Chinese people and the people of South Sudan share a deep traditional friendship and a common desire to strengthen friendly exchanges. On the day when the Republic of South Sudan was founded, President Hu Jintau of China sent a message of congratulation to President Kiir of the Republic of South Sudan. China has already established diplomatic relations with the Republic of South Sudan, beginning a new chapter in the relations of the two countries. China will establish and develop a long-term, healthy, stable, friendly and cooperative relationship with the Republic of South Sudan on the basis of the five principles of peaceful coexistence. China supports South Sudan’s application for membership of the United Nations. We look forward to the historic moment when South Sudan becomes the 193rd Member State. We look forward to strengthening a comprehensive cooperation with South Sudan within the framework of the United Nations. We sincerely hope that the young Republic of South Sudan will continue to register new accomplishments in its efforts at State-building and development so as to become a positive force in maintaining peace and stability and the promotion of common development. China will continue to provide its assistance, within its capacities, to South Sudan’s development and reconstruction. South Sudan is facing many challenges immediately after its formation. We appeal to the international community to continue to support South Sudan’s efforts to achieve political stability, and to provide effective assistance for its economic recovery and development. We support the mandate of the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan to strengthen communication and cooperation with the Government of South Sudan and to contribute to the maintenance of peace and stability and the promotion of development in South Sudan. Both the Sudan and South Sudan are at a new phase in their history. They share a common history, and their economies and cultures are closely linked, as are peace and development in both countries. Continued tolerance, mutual understanding and strengthened cooperation between the two countries represent the only option to achieve peaceful coexistence and common development. We hope that the two countries will continue to focus on the overall situation of peace and the well-being of the two peoples in finding appropriate solutions to the outstanding issues of the CPA through dialogue and negotiation. China welcomes the good offices of the African Union in resolving the outstanding issues between the Sudan and South Sudan. China supports the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel led by Mr. Mbeki in playing an important role in this regard. The Government of the Sudan has demonstrated its political resolve to facilitate the peace process between the South and the North and has made tremendous efforts in this regard. The international community should normalize its relations with the Sudan soon so that its people can enjoy peace, dignity and development at an early date. It is our sincere hope that the Sudan and South Sudan, with the support and assistance of the United Nations and other international partners, will be good neighbours, good partners and good brothers forever.

Nigeria greatly appreciates the special attention that you, Sir, are devoting to the Sudan today. The contributions of your country to the Sudanese process are well recognized, as is your personal commitment. I would like to welcome the participation of the Vice-President of the Republic of South Sudan, Mr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon, and to thank him for his inspiring comments. I also welcome my colleague, Ambassador Osman, and thank him for his statement. The Secretary-General has been unrelenting in his quest for peace, as has Under-Secretary-General Le Roy in his unremitting efforts in waging peace. Allow me, on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, to congratulate President Salva Kiir and the people of the Republic of South Sudan on finally achieving statehood. Our President Goodluck Jonathan shared this historic moment with the people of South Sudan in Juba and conveyed Nigeria’s solidarity and unflinching support as the country begins the arduous process of nation-building. Let me also commend the leadership of the Sudan for promptly recognizing South Sudan’s independence. The President and the people of the Sudan have demonstrated courage and steadfast commitment to the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). We believe that this is an inspiring lesson in international responsibility and peacemaking. On 9 July, the international community joyfully welcomed the historic birth of Africa’s newest State, South Sudan, following a protracted struggle. We must acknowledge the inherent challenges facing the newborn State, not least of which are insecurity, institution-building, infrastructure and economic development, political and social cohesion, the integration of returnees, meeting international obligations, and forging a strong and lasting partnership with its neighbours, especially the Sudan. Without a doubt, the primary responsibility for setting priorities and identifying strategies for addressing these post-conflict State-building challenges lies with the Government of South Sudan. First, the signing of a new interim constitution, the granting of amnesty to former armed fighters, the move to diversify the economy from oil dependency, and the emphasis on unity based on cultural and ethnic diversity are necessary steps in the right direction. The new Republic of South Sudan will require the support not only of its immediate neighbour, the Sudan, but also of the international community. A peaceful, stable, equitable and mutually beneficial relationship between the Sudan and South Sudan is critical to internal peace and regional stability. We therefore welcome the recent statements of both Presidents Kiir and Al-Bashir reaffirming their commitment to resolving all remaining issues of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and to bringing peace to the troubled areas of Abyei, Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile, as well as Darfur. That commitment not only will serve as the bedrock of the future relationship between the two countries, but also should reinvigorate the momentum for the resolution of all outstanding issues of the CPA under the auspices of the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel. Nigeria is encouraged by the successes of the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel under the leadership of President Thabo Mbeki. The Panel remains a valuable mechanism for the resolution of all post-referendum and post-CPA issues, including the demarcation of the North-South boundary. We welcome the steps that the CPA parties have taken to resolve outstanding issues, and look forward to the fulfilment of the objectives outlined in the 20 June Agreement, the 28 June Framework Agreement and the 29 June Agreement. The parties have also utilized the Panel to explore post-secession issues, including citizenship, freedoms, the creation of a soft border, oil resources, trade issues and debt relief. The coming months will pose the first test of the respective Governments’ ability to protect their citizens from upheaval and unrest under the framework of those agreements. We call upon both Governments to work with United Nations peacekeeping forces to leave no stone unturned in seeking to guarantee the protection of civilians and to allow humanitarian access in critical areas. We note the need for cooperation with other relevant actors in the region, namely, the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS), the United Nations country team in South Sudan, the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur, the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei, and the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In supporting resolution 1996 (2011) establishing UNMISS, Nigeria was confident that its broad mandate typifies the quality of United Nations assistance that we envisage as being most beneficial to the people of South Sudan. As security and development are closely interlinked and mutually reinforcing, we believe that they are key to attaining sustainable peace. It is highly critical that the twin pillars of the peacekeeping and peacebuilding mandate be fully operationalized. Independence may have come at a great cost, but the future of the Republic of South Sudan will bear out that undertaking. We are convinced that it will prove to have been a valuable investment if the human, cultural and economic resources of the country are strategically harnessed for the highest national benefit.

At this historic hour for the Sudanese people, Africa, the United Nations and the international community in general, I would like to begin my statement by giving a warm welcome to His Excellency Mr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon, Vice-President of the Republic of South Sudan, and to his delegation, and to convey through him our warm welcome to President Salva Kiir. Today is above all a day of celebration, on which we receive into the international community South Sudan as an independent Republic. I wish to convey the warmest and most sincere congratulations of the Colombian State and citizens to all people of the Republic of South Sudan and its authorities. The path that had to be followed to reach this result has been very arduous and there were many obstacles to overcome. However, that achievement was possible only thanks to the resolute will of the people of South Sudan to achieve their independence and to the acknowledgement of the parties to the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement that peace can be achieved only through negotiation and democratic means. It is also necessary to underscore that the respect shown by the authorities of the Sudan for the commitments undertaken in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, as well as their participation in the events declaring South Sudan’s independence on 9 July, indicate that the principles of good-neighbourliness and regional cooperation will guide relations between the two States. We welcome the positive statement of Ambassador Osman and his Government’s recognition of the new Republic of South Sudan. It is particularly noteworthy that, on its first day as an independent State, the Republic of South Sudan applied to become a Member of the United Nations, showing its commitment to the principles and goals of the Organization. That is in keeping with the fact that the independence process was carried out in exercise of the principle of the self-determination of peoples, which was clearly expressed in the huge participation in the referendum early this year, its results and the jubilation of the people during the declaration of independence. The international community must continue to demonstrate its commitment to supporting the Republic of South Sudan and to the establishment of conditions favourable to a prosperous and peaceful future for its entire population. Our enthusiasm at the establishment of South Sudan as an independent State should not lead us to lose sight of the enormous challenges awaiting the Government. We must be aware that it will require sustained and generous support for its national institutions and authorities. Guided by the commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity of South Sudan, and based on the principle of national ownership, the Security Council adopted resolution 1996 (2011), establishing the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan, which must serve as an instrument of support to the national authorities in exercising their primary responsibilities. With the birth of the independent life of the Republic of South Sudan, the transition period also ends although significant issues of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement remain to be implemented. Also outstanding is the resolution of a series of issues key to the future of bilateral relations, to which many of my colleagues have referred. In that regard, the two States are called on to resolutely commit themselves firmly to achieving agreements that allow peaceful and mutually beneficial relations. In conclusion, I wish to show my appreciation for the role undertaken by the African Union High-Level Implementation Panel to implement the recommendations for the Sudan, which, under the leadership of President Thabo Mbeki, helped to reach commitments and to overcome difficult moments between the parties. The work of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for the Sudan, Mr. Haile Menkerios, and the appointment of Ms. Hilde Frafjord Johnson as Special Representative of the Secretary-General for South Sudan, to whom we wish the greatest success in undertaking her responsibilities, should also be highlighted. I wish the new Republic of South Sudan good luck.

At the outset, allow me to welcome His Excellency Mr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon, Vice-President of the Republic of South Sudan, and to thank him and Ambassador Ali Osman for their statements and Mr. Le Roy for his briefing. The transition period ended several days ago, thereby completing the implementation of most provisions of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement after more than 20 years of war, destruction and suffering that led to the deaths of 2 million people. In Juba last Saturday, the entire world witnessed the great celebration at which the creation of the Republic of South Sudan was declared, in accordance with the outcome of the referendum of 9 January. The President of the Sudan, Mr. Omar Al-Bashir, was present, with all of the great symbolism that that entails. The positive atmosphere was due to the fact that the parties to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement fulfilled their commitments and that there was careful follow-up from many regional and international organizations, including the United Nations, the African Union and the League of Arab States. We commend the efforts and great sacrifices made by all the parties. Today more than ever before, we would like to stress that dialogue should continue, as should negotiations on all outstanding issues, including the final settlement of the issue of Abyei, the sharing of oil wealth, the delineation of the border and the situation in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile. Cooperation in the relationship between North and South is a crucial issue, given the bonds and the deep common interests that unite both peoples. Therefore, there needs to be an ongoing commitment to working together, which will have a positive impact on stability in the region. We would also like to commend the United Nations Mission in the Sudan for the important role it played over the past six years. In this respect, we welcome the efforts of Mr. Menkerios and express our thanks and gratitude to former President Mbeki and all those who took part in good offices missions in the Sudan. We would also highlight at this time the importance of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur and the efforts of Mr. Gambari and Mr. Bassolé. We thank the State of Qatar for the efforts it has undertaken with respect to the peace talks on Darfur. We call on all parties to sign the document from the Doha meeting and ensure that the ceasefire is implemented and that Darfur-related issues are addressed. This will contribute to establishing peace and stability not only in the Sudan, but also in South Sudan. We congratulate South Sudan today, here in this United Nations forum, on having created an independent State through the exercise of their right to self-determination, as stipulated in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and in Article 1, paragraph 2 of the United Nations Charter and enshrined in common article 1 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. On that basis, we hope to see the brotherly Palestinian people, with the support of the international community, achieve their right to self-determination and exercise this inalienable right on their national territory. Palestinians would thus be able to achieve their aspiration to enjoy peace and security in an independent State, with Jerusalem as its capital. We would like to be able to welcome that State, too, among us as a sovereign State Member of the United Nations.

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany. By adopting resolution 1999 (2011) recommending the membership of the Republic of South Sudan in the United Nations, we have written history for Africa and the whole world. We want to welcome South Sudan as the 193rd member in the family of nations. Last Saturday, over 500,000 people celebrated independence in Juba. The images went around the world. President Salva Kiir underlined in his outstanding speech the importance of good- neighbourliness, respect for human rights and good governance. We congratulate the people of South Sudan on that day of joy. The people and the parties in the Sudan, both North and South, have worked hard to make this moment possible. Independence was brought about by peaceful negotiation among the political actors in the Sudan, supported by the international community, the African Union and, especially, this Council. But the real work is starting now. I have just visited the Sudan. My stay in Khartoum, Darfur and Juba showed me both the vast extent of the lands and of the work that still needs to be done. Both the Sudan and South Sudan now face great challenges, and both South Sudan and the Sudan need our support. The Sudan must see benefits from continued constructive steps in this regard, such as progress on debt relief. Germany is ready to contribute. Above all, peace is needed. Recent violence reminds us that the destructive logic of violence must finally end. The Addis Ababa agreements are important steps in the right direction and must be implemented. I am confident that the United Nations and the Council in particular will continue to stand at the side of the peoples of the Sudan and South Sudan. The international community will continue to take a strong interest in the future development of the two countries. Germany will continue to assist in the great task of developing open, just and prosperous societies in North and South. This is also a moment to honour the achievements of all those working for peace under the big umbrella of the United Nations. I would therefore like to pay tribute to the women and men who have served in the United Nations Mission in the Sudan. The officers and staff who have contributed to this great effort through all these years deserve our sincere gratitude. Last week, we adopted a mandate for the new United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS). The new Mission will be the best proof of our commitment to peace and stability in the Sudan. I am confident that UNMISS will be instrumental in ending conflicts and promoting peace, development and reconciliation in South Sudan. In the meantime, the situation in Darfur must not be forgotten. I was there two weeks ago and saw first- hand how serious the situation is. A comprehensive peace agreement must finally be signed. I look forward to the day when the parties return to the negotiation table. The Council plans to extend the mandate of the African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) later this month. This will also improve security and freedom of movement for those on the ground helping the people of Darfur. I encourage the Sudanese Government to work closely with UNAMID. The Darfur crisis has challenged all of us, and it has lifted cooperation between the United Nations and the African Union to a new level. Thabo Mbeki has shown remarkable leadership. He can count on our continued support in his efforts to find a solution to the Darfur crisis. Above all, I would like to express my appreciation for the enormous commitment of African nations to UNAMID. Our discussions here in New York give reason for hope that a spirit of reconciliation will govern future relations between the Sudan and South Sudan. Peaceful coexistence is the fundament of sustainable development and a good future for the peoples of both States. This will require effort and cooperation. The Sudan and South Sudan will not be left alone in their endeavours. The United Nations and Germany, as a member of this community, as well as the European Union, will be at their sides. I am convinced that, in a few years from now, we will be proud to have been part of this new beginning for the Sudan and South Sudan. I now resume my functions as President of the Security Council. There are no further speakers inscribed on my list. The Security Council has thus concluded the present stage of its consideration of the item on its agenda.