The below is remarks as prepared by Ambassador Princeton Lyman for the July 9, 2012 discussion "South Sudan: Beyond the First Year" at the United States Institute of Peace. Lyman is U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan.

Good afternoon.  I would like to begin by thanking the U.S. Institute of Peace, and the leadership of David Smock and Jon Temin, for hosting this event today.  The Institute’s work on Sudan and South Sudan dates back many years, and we appreciate your important contributions to the search for peace.  

I am very pleased to be here with Ambassador Obongo to celebrate the first anniversary of South Sudan’s independence.  One year ago today, the international community stood together to congratulate the people of South Sudan upon achieving their goal of their own sovereign state.  That achievement merits our commemoration.  Today I wish to recognize progress the nation has made over this past year, review some of the key challenges faced by the South Sudanese people and express my confidence that a bright future is still possible for South Sudan.  This confidence is based on the commitment I have witnessed from not only today’s leadership but from many in the nation’s rising generation, who maintain the vision of a South Sudan that is at peace with itself in all its diversity; benefiting from amenable economic and people-to-people relations with neighboring states; and led by an accountable, responsible and democratically elected government.  

South Sudan’s first year of independence has been marked by important achievements, for which we commend the government and the citizenry.  The new nation has consolidated its hard won independence by setting up institutions at the federal, state and local levels.  South Sudan established an interim constitution, steadily built the capacity of its civil service, and began establishing diplomatic representation around the world.  South Sudan has also strengthened its legal foundations by passing numerous laws since independence on a range of fundamental issues, such as investment and transparency, with many more bills in progress.  Dedication to improving human rights has been shown through commitments to release all child soldiers from the ranks of the military and police services, as well as the adoption and embodiment of international human rights principles in the interim constitution and other legislation.  Most recently, the government has taken action to improve internal security, while also addressing the underlying grievances and causes of interethnic and inter-communal violence.  Further, we have seen a notable improvement in immunization and maternal mortality rates – lending hope to a better standard of living for all South Sudanese.  This has all been achieved despite the enormity of the task of setting up a new nation and the still contentious relationship with neighboring Sudan.  

Concurrent with these important achievements, however, South Sudan today faces some tremendous challenges.  One year ago at independence, we noted not only the great promise of the new nation, but also the overwhelming expectations of its people for a “peace dividend”—a dramatic improvement in their living conditions after decades of war.  While all hoped that the new nation would be able to enjoy the fruits of peace, the past year has been marked by military conflict along the border with Sudan.  This conflict has not only prevented the government in Juba from dedicating resources to internal development and stability, but it has also caused widespread displacement and compounded an already troubling humanitarian situation.  Humanitarian concerns are further exacerbated by growing economic uncertainty, after unresolved disputes with Sudan over oil revenue and tariffs resulted in the decision by the Government of South Sudan to shut off oil production in late January.  This economic uncertainty threatens to derail much of the progress South Sudan has made in improving the standard of living for its citizenry and building strong government institutions, and jeopardizes future peace and stability.  

South Sudan is also faced with many difficulties from within.  These challenges, such as continued conflict among various groups within South Sudan and displacement of persons, are not insulated from the tensions with Sudan but rather aggravated by them.  Added to this is the return of hundreds of thousands of South Sudanese from Sudan, often arriving without places to live, employment opportunities, or even basic means of support.  There are very real limitations of the government’s finite resources to address all these internal issues while managing hostile relations with Sudan, particularly in light of the increasingly strained economic situation.

One of the most immediate challenges for South Sudan is, therefore, to take a hard, pragmatic, and courageous approach to its current economic crisis. Without oil revenue, many development projects will be delayed and many basic services will be cut back.  It is not enough to announce an austerity budget.  It requires prioritization, discipline, hard choices, and utter transparency and honesty.  Anything else would threaten the very stability of the country.  It also demands a courageous and forthcoming effort to reach an agreement that would allow a resumption of oil exports through Sudan. The long term may suggest alternative export facilities, but the new nation cannot afford to lose years of income when the development basis of the country is so low.

Let me return to the problem of the interethnic and inter-communal conflicts, which caused widespread suffering, death and displacement in South Sudan this past year.  This cycle of violence must end if the nation is to experience sustained progress toward peace and prosperity.  The government has begun a peace process in the major areas of such conflict, but ahead lies a larger need beyond the grievances of individual communities.  The people of South Sudan can look to Sudan’s tragic history, and elsewhere in the region, for vivid examples of how a lack of shared national identity can lead to relentless internal conflict and misery.  South Sudan’s leaders must address a challenge that many new nations have faced before—finding a way to build a society that celebrates its ethnic, cultural and religious diversity while strengthening a shared identity and common destiny as South Sudanese.  

South Sudan must also institutionalize basic freedoms, to include the right of creating political parties and a vibrant and free civil society.  A free and unmolested press is a necessary component for a true democracy, ensuring that all voices and opinions may be heard and giving citizens an avenue to hold their government accountable.  We are hopeful that South Sudan can work towards fostering a deeper respect of such fundamental rights that will in turn strengthen its democratic, civic and national identity.

Despite the difficulties and setbacks of the last year, the time for optimism has not passed.  The foundation has been laid for South Sudanese to build the country that they want—one with a government that embodies their culture, their fortitude, and their continued hope—not one that falls prey to the mistakes of the past.  In this spirit, we appeal to the people of South Sudan—including and especially civil society, women, and the youth who have so much to gain—to lay aside grievances and do all they can to construct a peaceful, open and democratic society that is worthy of the long fight, the hardships, and the sacrifices made by generations of South Sudanese.  

The interim constitution, which enshrines fundamental rights and freedoms for all citizens, is an excellent example of South Sudan looking to a new vision for the future.  It is incredibly important, however, that South Sudan continues this process of determining what vision and shape its people would like their country to take by engaging in a transparent and inclusive permanent constitutional review process.  Throughout this process, many critical, overarching issues need to be addressed, such as how a uniquely South Sudanese rule-of-law system should be constructed – one that realistically serves, protects and represents the values of the entire country.  In this same vein, South Sudan must undertake the difficult task of deciding how to best form a strong culture of respect for human rights that exists in practice at all levels of society.  And as I already mentioned, perhaps the most important, and most difficult, element of a new, national vision will be solidifying a foundation of inclusive, democratic governance, thus ensuring that South Sudan is able to address the underlying causes of instability within its own borders by creating equality of opportunity, representation and prosperity.  

Any new vision for South Sudan must also extend beyond the country’s borders.  South Sudan must set aside the bitter past and find common ground with its neighbors in Sudan.  As Luka Biong recently pointed out, it is the people of both South Sudan and Sudan who suffer the most from the continued strained relationship.  Sudan will remain a strategic neighbor, and managing this relationship is critical for economic, social and political stability in the South.  Writing off Sudan is not an option.  Negotiations and communication are the only way forward, and the only way South Sudan will be able to achieve regional peace and stability so that it may focus on the great potential that exists to build and progress internally.  

I recognize that this will not be easy, and that it will take a shared commitment by both sets of leaders to a better future for both their peoples—however, much is to be gained if it can be accomplished.  Secure, internationally recognized borders; maximized trade relations; commercial, financial and residency arrangements between the two states; and peaceful, mutually respectful and beneficial relations between the two peoples and their governments, if achieved, can tremendously boost South Sudan’s prospects for rapid economic and social development. 

With this in mind, I urge the rising generations to dedicate themselves to overcoming the bitter legacy of exploitative relations between the peoples of Sudan and South Sudan, and seek not merely a cold peace, but rather an entirely new chapter in the relationship.  We ask what is difficult—to chose patience and pragmatism over vengeance and apathy.  But while we know the people of South Sudan have already fought long and hard, they now face a new battle—for development, prosperity, and peace.  It is a battle without an enemy, but it offers the young people of South Sudan opportunities for heroism of a different sort from what their parents knew.  Building a nation out of diversity; making tough decisions together with former enemies; finding sustainable paths to development takes vision and courage.

This same task is in fact essential for Sudan; it is vital to its hopes for peace and development.  So wherever possible, the people of each country should reach out to the other to foster a new relationship, one based on mutual respect, a desire for peace, and recognition of what the two peoples can do together.  The international community is ready to work with partners in Sudan and South Sudan who embody that vision of the future; who have learned from the past but are not beholden to it.  In the battle for development, prosperity, and peace, South Sudan has many allies in the region and beyond.  We urge South Sudan to work with them in close coordination to build the sort of state that is worthy of past sacrifices, and that will deliver the “peace dividend” so that its citizens may reap the benefits of their hard-won sovereignty.

Explore Further

• Learn more about the July 9, 2012 discussion "South Sudan: Beyond the First Year."
• Learn more about USIP's work in the Two Sudans.