MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Sudan and South Sudan – situation after the 2011 referendum
6.6.2011
pursuant to Rule 110(2) of the Rules of Procedure
Charles Tannock, Ryszard Antoni Legutko, Ryszard Czarnecki, Tomasz Piotr Poręba on behalf of the ECR Group
See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0349/2011
B7‑0356/2011
European Parliament resolution on Sudan and South Sudan – situation after the 2011 referendum
The European Parliament,
– having regard to its previous resolutions on Sudan,
– having regard to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed between the Sudanese parties on 9 January 2005,
– having regard to the Council conclusions on Sudan on 31 January 2011,
– having regard to the declaration of 7 February 2011 by the HR Catherine Ashton, on behalf of the European Union, on the final referendum results on Southern Sudan’s self-determination,
– having regard to the UN Security Council Resolution 1978 (2011),
– having regard to the statement of 24 May 2011 by the HR Catherine Ashton on the situation of Sudan,
– having regard to Rule 110(2) of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas Southern Sudan is expected to formally declare its independence from the North on 9 July 2011 as a result of a self-determination referendum held in application of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) which also coincides with the end date of the CPA,
B. whereas the final results of the referendum of 9 January 2011 on the self-determination of South Sudan confirmed with an overwhelming majority the voters’ determination to establish an independent state,
C. whereas South Sudan will still remain vulnerable to potential aggression and will be one of the poorest and least developed parts of the world, with one of the highest infant mortality and the lowest education indicators in the world,
D. whereas in Southern Sudan one in ten children die before their first birthday and less than 1% of girls complete primary education,
E. whereas since 2005 the EU allocated EUR 665 million to the whole of Sudan to address the needs of the most vulnerable populations, 45% of which was earmarked for South Sudan,
F. whereas the situation in large areas of South Sudan and the border regions with North Sudan remain complex, with persistent violent conflicts and frequent incidents of serious fighting; stresses that such a situation is resulting in large scale displacement of the population, as well as leaving people vulnerable to food insecurity, outbreaks of diseases and natural disasters and lack of access to basic services such as health care and safe drinking water,
G. stresses that important issues remain unsolved and that considerable efforts are required as a matter of urgency to reach agreement on the sharing of oil revenue, borders, citizenship and division of debts and assets,
H. underlines the importance of ensuring the effective and safe management of returnees to the South in terms of transit, technical capacity (lack of urban planners and surveyors), infrastructure, the allocation of land and access to basic services,
I. whereas the referendum determining whether Abyei will be part of north or south Sudan, that should have coincided with the referendum on South Sudan, has not taken place, which has resulted in a severe escalation of violence in the area,
1. Recalls its full respect to the outcome of the referendum as the expression of the democratic will of the people of South Sudan; calls both North and South Sudan to actively engage in the promotion of democratic governance and the establishment of long-term peace, security and prosperity for both countries;
2. Commends the efforts and commitment demonstrated by CPA parties in the process of the referendum and after the announcement of the results; yet considers, that the situation in both countries remains a threat to the future stability of the region;
3. Welcomes the EU’s continued commitment and support to the establishment of long term peace, security and prosperity for both north and south Sudan;
4. Strongly condemns the deliberate attack on the UN Mission to Sudan on 10 May 2011 in the Abyei area and the more recent raid on a UN-escorted convoy; is concerned for the safety of the civilian population of the area, the vast majority of whom have been displaced due to severe fighting being mainly women and children;
5. Welcomes the UN Secretary Generals statement which strongly condemned the continuing escalation of violence and occupation of Abyei and urged the Khartoum-based Government to immediately halt all military operations and withdraw troops from the territory which constitutes a serious violation of the CPA;
6. Stresses the importance of external aid to be provided as a priority to South Sudan and welcomes the Council decision of 23 May 2011 to allocate EUR 200 million to development cooperation in order to assist South Sudan to cope with the numerous humanitarian and socio-economic challenges in a context of reduced governance capacity and political fragility;
7. Welcomes the UNSC decision to extend the mandate of the UN Mission to Sudan (UNMIS) and to send additional peacekeeping forces to Sudan; considers that a continued UN presence is extremely valuable to the peaceful development of two viable states;
8. Expresses its commitment to developing a close partnership with both parties to the CPA in order to accompany a sustainable North-South relationship;
9. Calls for the urgent accession of South Sudan to the Cotonou Agreement and for the EU to take all steps necessary to ensure EDF funding becomes available as soon as possible;
10. Calls on the EU Member States to clarify the mandate of its diplomatic representations both in North and South Sudan and to encourage tight cooperation between the EU Special Representative for Sudan and the EU Delegation in North and South Sudan;
11. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the EU Council and Commission, the HR/VP Catherine Ashton, the UN Security Council and the UN Secretary General, the institutions of the African Union, the ACP-EU Parliamentary Assembly and the governments of EU Member states.