Brussels, 11/07/2011 (Agence Europe) - The European Union and its member states, on Saturday 9 July, warmly congratulated the people of South Sudan on their independence. “On this historic day, the EU and its member states welcome the Republic of South Sudan as a new independent state”, reads a statement signed by the EU and its member states published on Saturday.
South Sudan formally proclaimed its independence at an official ceremony attended by foreign dignitaries in Juba. Speaker of the South Sudan Legislative Assembly James Wani Igga read out the Proclamation of the Independence before tens of thousands of jubilant citizens.
“The EU commends the government of Sudan on its decision to recognise the new Republic of South Sudan with immediate effect”, says the statement by the EU and its member states. The EU notes that it has consistently supported implementation of the comprehensive peace agreement, signed by the Sudanese government and the rebels in the South on 9 January 2005, thereby bringing an end to more than 20 years of conflict that cost almost two million lives.
“The world's newest state will require international support to establish itself as a secure, peaceful and prosperous country, able to meet the needs and expectations of its people. The EU and its member states … look forward to further developing a close and long-term partnership with the Republic of South Sudan and its people”, the EU statement goes on. The EU and its member states will “continue to support a peaceful transition in South Sudan” and encourage South Sudan's leaders to “embrace pluralism and diversity and lay the foundation for a democratic, fair and inclusive society, based on the rule of law and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms”.
“The EU and its member states take this opportunity to reiterate their support for the development of peaceful, good neighbourly relations between Sudan and South Sudan”, the statement says. The EU repeats that it is ready to play its part in underpinning the development of “two viable states” and the key post-CPA arrangements “that will sustain the North-South relationship in the long term”.
European Council President Herman Van Rompuy hailed the birth of a new country in Africa and, in a Twitter message, wished its people “a prosperous and peaceful future”.
European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek, while qualifying the birth of South Sudan as a “landmark event” that “should ensure that history does not repeat itself”, warned that, “for south Sudan, the greatest challenge is and will remain democracy and state building”.
The mainly Christian South separated from the largely Muslim North after decades of war. The Khartoum government was the first to recognise the South, some hours before the separation became official. This gesture has not, however, dispelled concerns for the future. The leaders of the North and the South have not yet been able to agree on a number of sensitive issues, such as the line of the border and how to share the oil revenues that are essential to both economies. (L.C./J.K./transl.rt)