Press Releases

Remarks delivered at Boston's South Sudan Indepedence Celebration.

Happy Birthday, Republic of South Sudan!

Today we celebrate the birth of a new nation, the Republic of South Sudan.

In the Spanish language, the act of birth is described as -to give to the light- - Well, today the light of the world is shining on the people and the new-born country of South Sudan.

No one knows better than the people of South Sudan, including so many of you gathered here today, Sudanese and Americans, that it has not been an easy birth.

The previous speakers have talked about the price of freedom that the peoples of southern Sudan have paid -

• A two-decade long civil war
• 2 million deaths
• 4 million displaced
• Civilians targeted because of their ethnicity, including the Dinka, Nuer and Nuba
• Children who lost their parents
• And parents who lost their children

Since the Comprehensive Peace Agreement was signed in 2005, the road has been long and difficult and complicated to reach today. Not just in trying to figure out how to form a new government that represents all the south Sudanese people. Not just to encourage millions of people to return to a homeland where their last memories were of fighting, terror and death. Not just to help people sow their first crops, dig new wells, and create new communities.

Even the work of peace is hard and dangerous. Even good things can be difficult. Since the 2005 peace accord was signed, for example, more than 18,000 anti-personnel landmines have been cleared in South Sudan, along with 3,600 anti-tank mines. Over one million small arms have been collected and 847,430 unexploded ordinance dismantled. More than 36,000 kilometers of roads and 55 million square meters of land have been cleared of landmines and other explosive devices. Just so people can go to school, plant their seeds, market their crops, find a doctor, visit relatives, or get to the capital of Juba.

The South Sudanese communities throughout New England who are represented in this room are a living legacy to the suffering and sacrifice of that war. And you are testimony to the resilience, dignity and human spirit of the southern Sudanese people. And while we in the United States are greatly enriched by your presence in our cities, towns and communities, we know that pieces of your heart remain in your homeland.

I know and understand that because America is a nation of immigrants - and those among my own relatives who were the very first to come to these shores from Ireland and Poland always kept a piece of their homeland in their hearts - and in the stories and history they passed down to their American-born children and grandchildren. Just as I'm sure you do.

I'd like to take this moment to thank the south Sudanese who have gathered here together on this very special occasion. I'd like to thank those who traveled all the way from Maine and Vermont, from Connecticut and New Hampshire, from upstate New York and Pennsylvania - thank you for coming. Thank you for being here. Thank you for making history.

And I especially want to thank the South Sudanese community of Massachusetts and the July 9^th Committee, and especially Mangok Bol, Chair of the July 9^th Committee, who put their heart and soul into organizing the events of this day. And to the many people at the Institute for Global Leadership and Tufts University who coordinated the use of this venue.

I'm sorry I couldn't be with all of you this morning when the beautiful - and I do mean beautiful - new flag of the Republic of South Sudan was hoisted at Boston City Hall. What a proud moment in history that must have been. And while Boston Mayor Tom Menino couldn't be here this afternoon, I'd like to take this opportunity to thank him and the City of Boston for raising and flying the flag of your new nation.

New nations are very rare. East Timor. Kosovo. To name but two recent additions to the international community of nations.

And now, the Republic of South Sudan - the world's newest nation.

But new nations are also fragile and their independence can be vulnerable to forces that seek their overthrow or their annihilation.

The world cannot let that happen again to South Sudan.

I am deeply concerned about the violence raging in the border state of Southern Kordofan, where the Nuba people are in particular danger from attacks by the Sudanese Armed Forces. Once again, Khartoum is lighting fires and doesn't care how many people perish in the flames.

The brutal assault on Abyei reminds us of the ethnic cleansing of the past - and the determination of Khartoum to exert control over all the oil and other natural resources, even those clearly in the domain of South Sudan.

Our support and commitment to a free and independent South Sudan must be more than fine words and fancy diplomacy. Our commitment must include protection and the political will to deal harshly with President Bashir if he continues his current killing spree.

For its part, the new government of South Sudan must commit itself to representing all the peoples of southern Sudan. It will not be easy. Most people live on less than $1 a day. More than 10% of the children do not reach the age of five. Some 75 percent of adults cannot read.

Sometimes it can be easier to build a road or a bridge, than to build a nation, establish good governance, adopt a Constitution, and educate and feed your people.

But I have faith in the people of South Sudan. I have faith in you.

And I have faith in the American people who have stood with you for so long.

Today, in Juba, a very high level delegation from the United States joined the international celebration of South Sudan's independence. Led by U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice, Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Johnny Carson, and USAID Deputy Administrator Don Steinberg, it also includes my friend and colleague Congressman Don Payne who has been a leader in the U.S. Congress on southern Sudan and so many other African issues; the President's Special Envoy to Sudan Princeton Lyman; General Colin Powell; and my personal favorite, Mr. Ken Hackett, the president of Catholic Relief Services, and American NGO that has stood alongside the South Sudanese people through war and peace, assisting refugees and IDPs - and now helping with seeds, health care and economic development.

This delegation represents all Americans of good will towards the new nation of South Sudan. The U.S. delegation will remember that on January 9^th, four million Southern Sudanese registered to vote in Southern Sudan Referendum; 97.5% turned out to vote - and 98.83% voted for independence and separation from Khartoum. And on behalf of the American people, the U.S. delegation will stand next to President Salva Kiir as independence is formally declared for the Republic of South Sudan. And they will cut the ceremonial ribbon that transforms the U.S. Consulate in Juba into the U.S. Embassy to the new Republic of South Sudan.

On July 13^th, the United Nations will meet to formally discuss membership and recognition of the Republic of South Sudan; and on Thursday, July 14^th, the U.N. General Assembly will vote on a resolution to accept South Sudan as the world's 193^rd U.N. Member State.

This is history in the making.

We are witnessing; we are celebrating; we are commemorating and remembering. I would like to remember a man whose spirit is present here and in Juba on this day of celebration and independence, John Garang. And I would like to remember all those who are not with us today, who perished in the civil war and its aftermath. Their memories live on inside of each of us. Their memory, their sacrifice demand that we create a better tomorrow for South Sudan.

So, most of all, we are here to rededicate ourselves, each in our own way, to the peace, security, well-being and development of the world's newest nation, the people and the Republic of South Sudan.

Thank you.