Cecilia Adout Majok Adeng, Permanent Representative of South Sudan to the United Nations — Statement at the UN Security Council

Cecilia Adout Majok Adeng (Photo Credit: The America Times)

Good morning, and thank you for the opportunity to present here today. And congratulations for assuming the Security Council presidency for the month of May. I assure you of our delegation’s full support and cooperation.

Members of the Council, I would also like to take this opportunity to appreciate and thank ASG Martha Pobee and Special Envoy of the Horn of Africa, Mr. Guang Cong, for their detailed briefing.

We also would like to appreciate the Secretary-General and this Council for their continued support to the people of Abyei. We also would like to thank the troop-contributing countries and police-contributing countries for their continued support in Abyei, and our condolences to Bangladesh for the unfortunate incident involving the death of the peacekeepers.

South Sudan remains fully committed to the realization of the final status of Abyei. It has been our wish and continues to be our call.

South Sudan reaffirms its commitment to the June 2011 agreement and subsequently the Security Council resolutions that followed. At the same time, implementation must remain informed by realities on the ground and by the shared responsibility to preserve stability and protect civilian lives.

Following serious intercommunal violence reported by the Secretary-General and various other reports that followed, and the deaths and displacement that took place in Abyei, the South Sudan Government took the opportunity to deploy troops in the southern border areas of South Sudan to stabilize the situation and prevent further unrest and to save civilian lives.

The today relatively calm situation and the lives saved did not emerge by chance. It reflects the deliberate efforts and difficult decisions taken in the interest of stability. What remains important is that we do not jeopardize the gains that we have made or create conditions that may risk renewed instability.

Regarding the Abyei Police Service, South Sudan underscores the importance of building sustainable and locally anchored institutions capable of supporting long-term peace and security.

We encourage enhanced support to the Special Administrative Area in establishing a capable, representative and professional police service that can respond effectively to the needs of the local population.

Mr. President, on the question of visas and freedom of movement, South Sudan has always reiterated and continues its commitment to the Status of Forces Agreement and categorically rejects allegations suggesting non-compliance.

Since 2012, South Sudan has consistently facilitated the work of UNISFA personnel in accordance with the agreed arrangements. Multiple-entry visas continue to be issued and the mission’s operational movement remains facilitated in line with the agreement.

With respect to the civilian leadership of UNISFA, South Sudan reiterates its longstanding position supporting the appointment of a civilian Deputy Head of Mission. Such an appointment would bring the mission in line with established peacekeeping practices and further strengthen political engagement, coordination and mandate implementation.

On the administrative arrangements, South Sudan believes that these updates should remain focused on practical and realistic approaches that reflect the current realities on the ground and support stability rather than creating additional complications.

The Republic of South Sudan and the Republic of Sudan continue to be engaged bilaterally as we undergo our own difficult situations, and we are continuing to keep our bilateral relations as strong as they could be, with the understanding that stability in both Sudan and South Sudan is vital for the safety of both of our countries.

Mr. President, South Sudan reaffirms its sovereign rights and responsibility, including with respect to administrative facilitation and in line with the existing agreement.

UNISFA personnel may continue to enter and obtain any entry documentation through either Sudan or South Sudan, and both channels remain functional and available.

The question that I would like all of us in this Council to keep in mind is: Where do the people of Abyei work? Where are they living? Who is maintaining them, and how do they continue to survive?

Surely, this is not happening through only the peacekeeping mission that is there.

And for us in South Sudan, the people of Abyei continue to remain in all levels of our governance, including ministers in the cabinet and members of parliament in the South Sudan Government.

Therefore, we have a higher stake in the final status of Abyei and for the people of Abyei to experience stability and continue living in peace in their own areas.

The final question of Abyei cannot remain unresolved indefinitely. South Sudan believes that the time has come to renew political momentum and sustain international support toward a credible and forward-looking process aimed at achieving final settlement.

Sustainable peace will ultimately depend on dialogue, mutual respect and the collective commitment of all stakeholders to stability and coexistence.

South Sudan remains committed to constructive engagement, preserving peace and stability in Abyei and to continued cooperation with this Council and UNISFA.

I thank you for your kind attention.

Source: https://www.america-times.com/cecilia-adout-majok-adeng-permanent-representative-of-south-sudan-to-the-united-nations-statement-at-the-un-security-council-sudan-and-south-sudan-abyei-unisfa/