Security Council

Hailing the recent independence of the Republic of South Sudan following decades of civil war, the Security Council today pledged its continued support to the poverty stricken country — which ranks at the bottom of nearly all human development indicators — just moments after recommending to the General Assembly that the world’s newest nation be admitted as a member of the United Nations.

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Peter Wittig (Germany):

The Security Council today recommended to the General Assembly that the Republic of South Sudan be admitted as a Member of the United Nations, adopting resolution 1999 (2011) without a vote. In a statement (S/PRST/2011/14) read out during a formal meeting by Guido Westerwelle, Foreign Minister of Germany, the 15-nation body noted with great satisfaction the Republic of South Sudan’s solemn commitment to uphold the purposes and principles of the Charter and to fulfil all the obligations therein.

Building on more than a decade of contributions towards a comprehensive framework for protecting children affected by conflict, the Security Council today declared schools and hospitals off limits for both armed groups and military activities, calling for all parties that attacked such facilities to be held accountable and placed on the Secretary-General’s annual list of those committing grave violations against children.

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Peter Wittig (Germany):

The President of the Security Council today referred the membership application of the Republic of South Sudan to its Committee on the Admission of New Members — the first step for the newly independent African country to join the United Nations. Should South Sudan’s application be approved by the 15-member Council and the 192-nation General Assembly, it will become the world body’s 193rd member.

The Security Council today decided to close the six-year-old United Nations Mission in the Sudan (UNMIS) and called on Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to complete the withdrawal of all its uniformed and civilian personnel, except those needed for its liquidation, by 31 August 2011.

Acting on the day before the birth of the independent Republic of South Sudan, and reaffirming its strong commitment to its sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity, the Security Council today authorized the deployment of a peacekeeping force in the world’s newest country.

While commending the institutional and governance improvements that had helped resolve both long-brewing and unexpected political crises in West Africa over the past year, the top United Nations envoy in the subregion today urged the Security Council to remain vigilant because elections scheduled between now and 2013 held the potential to ignite simmering tensions that could lead to renewed violence and instability.

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Peter Wittig ( Germany):