S/PV.8509 Security Council

In accordance with rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representatives of South Sudan and the Sudan to participate in this meeting. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. Members of the Council have before them document S/2019/307, which contains the text of a draft resolution submitted by the United States of America. The Council is ready to proceed to the vote on the draft resolution before it. I shall put the draft resolution to the vote now.

The draft resolution received 15 votes in favour. The draft resolution has been adopted as resolution 2465 (2019). I now give the floor to the representative of the Sudan.

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you, Mr. President, on your presidency of the Security Council this month. I would like to thank the delegation of the United States for its efforts, which led the Council to adopt today’s resolution 2465 (2019) on the extension for six months of the support provided to the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism by United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA). I also thank all the members of the Council for their cooperation and spirit of compromise, which led to the adoption of the resolution. I would also like to take this opportunity to reaffirm my country’s commitment to cooperating with UNISFA so that it may successfully implement its mandate pursuant to resolution 1990 (2011) and subsequent resolutions, including that of the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism, in order to successfully conclude its mission and strengthen the security and stability of the border between the two countries. We stress that the conditions set out in the resolution for the continued support of UNISFA for the Mechanism are in line with the agreements reached between the Sudan and South Sudan during the meeting on the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism, which we fully support. I would like to reiterate my most sincere thanks and appreciation to all partners whose efforts have facilitated the work of UNISFA, especially Ethiopia, the African Union Peace and Security Council, the AU Commission, the AU High-level Implementation Panel for Sudan, the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Horn of Africa, the Secretariat and all UNISFA personnel. We reiterate our commitment to cooperating with UNISFA until it is able to fully implement its mandate as provided for by resolution 1990 (2011). Allow me to provide to the Council some clarifications on the developments in my country since 11 April. Before proceeding, I would like to pay tribute to the memory of the martyrs who fell during those events and wish the injured a quick recovery. The events that took place prompted the decisions taken by the Transitional Military Council to remove the President, suspend the Constitution and dissolve the National Council and the state councils, as well as the central Government and the state governments, in addition to declaring a state of emergency for three months. Those measures are in response to the demands of the Sudanese people, who have expressed their aspirations and demands in line with their history and struggle. In that regard, I would like to note that the Transitional Military Council has underscored its commitment to all the international and regional agreements and conventions. It is committed to fully cooperating with the international community to ensure stability, peace and a peaceful transition in the Sudan based on a political legacy of peaceful transitions following the glorious revolutions of October 1964 and April 1985. At the same time, the Minister of Defence assumed the presidency of the Transitional Military Council in order to lead the peaceful transition through a civilian Government. The Transitional Military Council stressed that it is responding to the Sudanese people’s aspirations for change and working to protect the lives of the citizens, as well as their property, and the country’s resources. It is not going to govern but will guarantee that a civilian Government be formed in collaboration with the political powers and stakeholders. No party, including armed groups, will be excluded from the political process. Moreover, the Transitional Military Council emphasized that the suspension of the Constitution could be lifted and the transitional period could be shortened depending on developments on the ground and agreements reached between stakeholders. Finally, I would like to reaffirm that what is happening in the Sudan is a domestic matter by the will of the Sudanese people. The delicate situation in the Sudan now that seriously threatens its immediate and future stability should be taken into consideration. However, any democratic process requires time and should not be threatened. We do not wish to see the emerging democratic process collapse in the name of democracy. We therefore call on our partners in the international community to support the peaceful transition in the country in a way that would help to enhance the gains achieved by the Sudanese people and pave the way for stability, development and prosperity, while saving the country from violence. That would positively impact regional peace and security.

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

We would like to congratulate you, Mr. President, on your assumption of the presidency of the Security Council for the month of April. Our delegation is delighted and ready to work and cooperate with you during your tenure. On behalf of the Government of the Republic of South Sudan, today we welcome the renewal of the mandate of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei, and we are grateful to all who made it possible. We would like to recognize the tireless efforts of the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, the United Nations and the African Union High-level Implementation Panel, as well as the Government of the Sudan, for the positive collaboration demonstrated in realizing the need for supporting the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei in the work of the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism. Progress has been made in the Area, and the commitment to continue the implementation of the mandate is evident. We would like to reiterate that we, the Government of the Republic of South Sudan and the Government of the Republic of the Sudan, supported by the regional communities, worked continuously towards achieving the current positive regional developments, so as to reassure the communities in the Abyei Area that a satisfactory solution would be found soon. In addition, the Joint Border Commission and the Joint Demarcation Committee are scheduled to hold a series of meetings in April, June and July. Today’s renewal should add to what has been achieved thus far through the steps established by the Joint Political and Security Mechanism. In conclusion, the Government of the Republic of South Sudan is committed to working closely with the Security Council as we continue with the implementation of the tasks at hand.