Independence shows UN's success, says South Sudanese official

24 Oct 2014

Independence shows UN's success, says South Sudanese official

24 October 2014 - South Sudan’s independence is an example of the United Nations’ successes in attaining peace in the world, a senior government official said in Juba today.

Abdon Terkoc Matuel, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, was speaking during celebrations to mark the 69th Anniversary of the UN Day, held on 24 October every year since 1948.

“I thank the UN and the IGAD (Intergovernmental Authority on Development) for tirelessly working to bring peace once again to South Sudan,” said Mr. Matuel.

He noted that even after independence and particularly during the current crisis, both bodies continue to support the country.

Mr. Matuel stressed that a recent meeting by the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement factions in the Tanzanian town of Arusha, as well as an East African Leaders’ summit in Juba this week were all parts of efforts to bring peace to South Sudan.

“These are not alternative initiatives,” he said. “All these are roads leading to everlasting peace which we hope to achieve soon.”

Acting UNMISS Chief Raisedon Zenenga reiterated the role the UN played in ensuring that the Comprehensive Peace Agreement was successfully implemented and that the referendum on self-determination was successful, leading to the independence of South Sudan. Only five days later, the country became the 193rd and till date the most recent member state of the United Nations.

“For decades, the struggle of South Sudan was inextricably linked to the UN,” he said. “The UN is proud to be counted among the midwives who facilitated the birth of … South Sudan.”

Mr. Zenenga noted that the UN family contributed significantly to the country’s initial strides to become a stable and democratic country, before the current conflict.

“The plight of South Sudan is among the multiple crises the Secretary-General refers to in his (UN Day 2014) message,” he said, pointing out that in May this year the continued fighting and delays in reaching a peaceful settlement led the Security Council to drastically narrow the UNMISS mandate.

Mr. Zenenga stressed that “there is no alternative to silencing the guns and concluding a comprehensive peace agreement so that the country can return to the task of peace building, nation building, state building, development and delivering essential services to the people.”

“Peace should not be delayed for even one more day,” he said. The untold suffering of the people of South Sudan must end.”

He noted that in order to contribute to the goals that inspired the UN Charter, the South Sudanese government and people as well as the UN family and partners would have to “save future generations from the scourge of war; to protect fundamental human rights; and to promote social progress in larger freedom”.