Statement by the Government of Chile on the Independence of South Sudan

On this day, 9 July 2011, the State of South Sudan became an independent nation, as the result of a long negotiation process that culminated in the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in Nairobi in 2005, and the holding of a referendum last January, through which a vast majority of the new state’s population voted in favor of independence.

Chile shares the international community’s satisfaction with the normal development of the Referendum and the fulfillment of the various steps included in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. Likewise, we hope the two parties can solve peacefully their pending issues in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions.

Our country also appreciates the ongoing efforts made by the African Union, the UN Secretary-General and the troika composed of US, UK and Norway delegates as facilitators of this process.

Chile is confident that these efforts will lead to peace building in that region, allowing states to live in harmony and mutual understanding, democracy, with full respect for human rights, economic growth and enabling them to achieve the millennium development goals.

Bearing in mind the points outlined above, the Government of Chile has decided on this date to formally recognize the new Republic of South Sudan as an independent and sovereign state, and aspires to establish full diplomatic relations with that state as promptly as possible.