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STORY: UN / SUDAN SOUTH SUDAN
TRT: 3:30
SOURCE: UNIFEED
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS
DATELINE: 24 OCTOBER 2019, NEW YORK CITY / FILE
FILE – RECENT – NEW YORK CITY
1.Wide shot, exterior, United Nations Headquarters
24 OCTOBER 2019, NEW YORK CITY
2.Wide shot, Security Council
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, United Nations:
“We witness an unprecedented opportunity to resolve the border-related issues between Sudan and South Sudan. Both countries have never been closer to achieving sustainable peace with each other and with their armed oppositions, as they continue to support respective peace processes. Building upon the recent positive developments in their bilateral relations, the two sides need to resume direct talks immediately to resolve outstanding provisions of their agreements in relation to the final status of Abyei and border issues.”
4. Wide shot, Security Council
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, United Nations:
“UNISFA and JBVMM have continued to play a key role in stabilizing the security situation on the ground. Their presence has had a deterrence effect, filling the gap deriving from the absence of the formal governance institutions, and supporting community reconciliation and law and order efforts.”
6. Wide shot, Security Council
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations, United Nations:
“The Secretary-General has recommended that the role and capacity of UNISFA to engage in local mediation, provide political support for dialogue between the two parties, and fulfill protection-related tasks should be strengthened. At this critical juncture of transition in both countries, it is critical that the only international mechanism operating in the border area is equipped with an appropriate mandate, capabilities, and assets. This would also send a strong signal to the parties that the United Nations remain committed to maintaining stability in the area.”
8. Wide shot, Security Council
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Horn of Africa, United Nations:
“The standoff in the Nuba Mountains in South Kordofan continues, with forces loyal to Abdalla Aziz al-Hilu maintaining their positions. In Blue Nile State, the Government is in a stronger position with the opposition divided between followers of Al-Hilu and those who support Malik Agar, who has recently been elected as Deputy Chairperson of the SRF.”
10. Wide shot, Security Council
11. SOUNDBITE (English) Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Horn of Africa, United Nations:
“It is fair to say that there are encouraging signs of progress in Sudan- South Sudan relations with a positive influence on peace processes in both countries.”
12. Wide shot, Security Council
13. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Omer Mohamed Ahmed Siddig, Permanent Representative of Sudan to the United Nations:
“I would like to reaffirm and the determination of the Government of Sudan to cooperate with the Government of the Republic of South Sudan and all partners to reach a permanent, comprehensive solution that achieves security and stability for Abyei and the region and gives our brethren in Abyei a chance for decent life. We also reaffirm our full readiness and openness to any initiative to reach our common objective which is a final status for Abyei.”
14. Various shots, delegates
15. SOUNDBITE (English) Cecilia A.M. Adeng, Charge d'Affaires of the Permanent Mission of the Republic of South Sudan to the United Nations:
“We assure you that our Government and the Government of the Sudan have been fully engaged in the implementation of the mandate. For our Government, Abyei has been a priority and we appreciate the efforts and contributions of the regional and international community. And we strongly believe that the continuous support to UNISFA and the JBVMM will allow for more progress to be achieved on the benchmarks.”
16. Wide shot Security Council
UN peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix said, “we witness an unprecedented opportunity to resolve the border-related issues between Sudan and South Sudan,” adding that “both countries have never been closer to achieving sustainable peace with each other and with their armed oppositions, as they continue to support respective peace processes.”
The UN Under-Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations today (25 Oct) briefed the Security Council on the latest developments pertaining to the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), including its support to the Joint Border Verification and Monitoring Mechanism (JBVMM).
Lacroix noted that the continued partnership between Sudan and South Sudan, notwithstanding the recent change of government in Khartoum, presents a unique opportunity to move the political process forward on the border issues.
He said, “building upon the recent positive developments in their bilateral relations, the two sides need to resume direct talks immediately to resolve outstanding provisions of their agreements in relation to the final status of Abyei and border issues.”
The peacekeeping chief also reiterated, “UNISFA and JBVMM have continued to play a key role in stabilizing the security situation on the ground. Their presence has had a deterrence effect, filling the gap deriving from the absence of the formal governance institutions, and supporting community reconciliation and law and order efforts.”
Lacroix also sought the support of the Security Council for the Secretary-General’s recommendations to extend the mandate of UNISFA and it support to the JBVMM by an additional period of six months.
He said, “the Secretary-General has recommended that the role and capacity of UNISFA to engage in local mediation, provide political support for dialogue between the two parties, and fulfill protection-related tasks should be strengthened.”
Lacroix continued, “at this critical juncture of transition in both countries, it is critical that the only international mechanism operating in the border area is equipped with an appropriate mandate, capabilities, and assets. This would also send a strong signal to the parties that the United Nations remain committed to maintaining stability in the area.”
Briefing the Council via teleconference, Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, the Special Envoy for Horn of Africa noted that the conflict in South Kordofan and Blue Nile States were relatively calm, due in part to the dramatic changes in Khartoum and the declarations announcing the cessation of hostilities made by the Government and the SPLM-North.
He explained, “the standoff in the Nuba Mountains in South Kordofan continues, with forces loyal to Abdalla Aziz al-Hilu maintaining their positions. In Blue Nile State, the Government is in a stronger position with the opposition divided between followers of Al-Hilu and those who support Malik Agar, who has recently been elected as Deputy Chairperson of the SRF.”
Parfait concluded that “there are encouraging signs of progress in Sudan- South Sudan relations with a positive influence on peace processes in both countries.” He reaffirmed his office’s commitment to closely follow developments in the weeks and months ahead.
Also addressing the Council, Sudanese Ambassador Omer Mohamed Ahmed Siddig said, “I would like to reaffirm and the determination of the Government of Sudan to cooperate with the Government of the Republic of South Sudan and all partners to reach a permanent, comprehensive solution that achieves security and stability for Abyei and the region and gives our brethren in Abyei a chance for decent life.” He added, “We also reaffirm our full readiness and openness to any initiative to reach our common objective which is a final status for Abyei.”
The South Sudanese senior official Cecilia A.M. Adeng assured her Government and the Government of the Sudan “have been fully engaged in the implementation of the mandate.” She said, “for our Government, Abyei has been a priority and we appreciate the efforts and contributions of the regional and international community. And we strongly believe that the continuous support to UNISFA and the JBVMM will allow for more progress to be achieved on the benchmarks.”
