February 07, 2011
By Williams Ekanem
President Barack Obama has announced announce
the intention of the United States to formally recognize Southern Sudan as a
sovereign, independent state in July 2011.
In a statement from the White House in
Washington D.C on the intent to recognize Southern Sudan as a country, the
United States President congratulated the people of Southern Sudan for a
successful and inspiring referendum in which an overwhelmingly majority of
voters chose independence. I am therefore pleased to
According to Obama, “after decades of
conflict, the images of millions of southern Sudanese voters deciding their own
future was an inspiration to the world and another step forward in Africa’s
long journey toward justice and democracy.”
Obama added that “now, all parties have a
responsibility to ensure that this historic moment of promise becomes a moment
of lasting progress. The Comprehensive Peace Agreement must be fully
implemented and outstanding disputes must be resolved peacefully. At the
same time, there must be an end to attacks on civilians in Darfur
and a definitive end to that conflict.”
“As I pledged in September when addressing
Sudanese leaders, the United States will continue to support the aspirations of
all Sudanese—north and south, east and west. We will work with the
governments of Sudan and Southern Sudan to ensure a smooth
and peaceful transition to independence. For those who meet all of their
obligations, there is a path to greater prosperity and normal relations with
the United States, including examining Sudan’s designation as a State Sponsor
of Terrorism. And while the road ahead will be difficult, those who seek
a future of dignity and peace can be assured that they will have a steady
partner and friend in the United States.
Earlier in a statement, Secretary of
State, Hillary Clinton also congratulated “ northern and southern leaders for
facilitating a peaceful and orderly vote, and now tha+t the people of Southern
Sudan have made this compelling statement, we commend the Government of Sudan
for accepting its outcome.
“We look forward to working with
southern leaders as they undertake the tremendous amount of work to prepare for
independence in July and ensure the creation of two viable states living
alongside each other in peace. The Government of Southern Sudan must launch a
process of inclusive governance and take steps to improve good governance and
service delivery, as well as to adopt long-term security and economic
arrangements with the North, Clinton stated.
According to her, in line with the
bilateral discussions held between the United States and the Government of
Sudan, and in recognition of the success of the Southern Sudan referendum as a
critical milestone of the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement,
the United States is initiating the process of withdrawing Sudan’s State
Sponsor of Terrorism designation, the first step of which is initiating a
review of that designation.
Removal of the State Sponsor of Terrorism
designation, she insist, will take place
if and when Sudan meets all criteria spelled out in U.S. law, including not
supporting international terrorism for the preceding six months and providing
assurance it will not support such acts in the future, and fully implements the
2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement, including reaching a political solution on
Abyei and key post-referendum arrangements.
The Department of State therefore
urge both northern and southern leaders to continue to work together toward
full implementation of the CPA, and urge them to work expediently to reach
agreement on the post-referendum arrangements that will define their future and
lead to a mutually beneficial relationship.
