United Nations—The UN General Assembly on Thursday unanimously approved a resolution admitting the newly independent Republic of South Sudan as the 193rd member of the United Nations.
The 192-member body approved the resolution by acclamation. With a bang of gavel, General Assembly President Joseph Deiss said, “I declare the Republic of South Sudan admitted to membership in the United Nations.”
The representatives of South Sudan were then escorted by the UN chief protocol officer to their seat in the General Assembly hall. Diplomats from many of the 192 other UN members seated in the hall burst into applause.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon congratulated South Sudan’s admission as the newest country into the community of nations. “Now they have reached an important milestone. But the journey continues,” Ban told the General Assembly.
Ban saluted the leaders of both Sudan and South Sudan — President Omar al-Bashir of the Republic of Sudan and President Salva Kiir, saying they “showed courage and commitment in bringing about a successful referendum that expressed the democratic will of the people.”
“Matters of borders, sharing of resources and migration should be dealt with as soon as possible, “Ban said. “It is imperative that you resolve outstanding differences with the same pragmatism and leadership that you have each shown so far.”
A peacekeeping mission is being established for South Sudan while Ethiopian peacekeepers have been deployed in the contested north-south border town of Abyei.
“The well-being and future prosperity of each depends on the other. South and North share a common destiny — they must see a future as true partners, not rivals,” Ban said.
Assembly President Joseph Deiss said in his address that Thursday marks a “historic” moment for Africa and for the world community.