[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 102 (Tuesday, July 10, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1215]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF SOUTH SUDAN'S INDEPENDENCE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL E. CAPUANO

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 10, 2012

  Mr. CAPUANO. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, July 9, marked the one year 
anniversary of South Sudan's independence. A nation whose self-
determination was long in the making, South Sudan had to struggle for 
its freedom, and millions of its people paid with their lives to reach 
that milestone. One year later, a country has been established, but its 
stability and prosperity are unfortunately far from assured.
  As we know too well, conflict rages near the border between Sudan and 
South Sudan. Hundreds of thousands of refugees from Southern Kordofan 
and Blue Nile states in Sudan have streamed into South Sudan, and their 
numbers are only increasing. Men, women, and children in the conflict 
areas have been cut off from humanitarian supplies due to fighting 
between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Sudan People's Liberation 
Movement-North (SPLM-N). Near constant bombing by the SAF has forced 
families to seek refuge in caves and travel hundreds of miles, 
sometimes by foot, to reach safety from the barrage.
  Add to this the stress of fraught negotiations between Sudan and 
South Sudan on post-CPA implementation issues--such as border 
demarcation, oil transit, wealth and debt sharing, the status of 
Abyei--and you have a volatile situation that has been teetering on the 
edge of a cliff for months. In April, Sudan and South Sudan exchanged 
cross-border attacks. While negotiations have since resumed under the 
auspices of the United Nations High-Level Implementation Panel, they 
have yet to lead to many concrete developments, or to the 
implementation of the African Union/United Nations-approved road map.
  Internally, South Sudan has its own problems that need attention. 
Violence and ethnic conflict has ebbed and flowed in Jonglei state over 
the past few years. Although the Government of the Republic of South 
Sudan has taken steps to address this, real concerns remain. 
Demobilization and disarmament must continue judiciously. In addition, 
the RSS government's laudable attempts to root out corruption and graft 
at all levels have been met with open hostility and far too much 
opposition from other officials. I encourage His Excellency President 
Salva Kiir Mayardit to continue fighting corruption and establish high 
standards for his government. Such an approach will better serve the 
people of South Sudan in the long run and will help guarantee a 
democracy founded on the soundest principles.
  The United States must continue to pay strict attention to the needs 
of South Sudan as it further establishes itself with an eye toward 
longevity. This means supporting responsible policies put forth by the 
RSS government and telling hard truths to our friends when necessary. 
We must stress the importance of finding a solution to the oil crisis. 
We must maintain strides made thus far in development in South Sudan 
and encourage further progress through proper governance, capacity-
building, investment, and promotion of agriculture. The American people 
have invested too much in the success of South Sudan to turn back now.
  So, on this anniversary of South Sudan's independence, I join in 
celebrating the initial achievement, but I also pledge my commitment to 
seeing South Sudan emerge as a fully competent, robust, and vibrant 
democracy in the years ahead.

                          ____________________