South Sudan establishes full diplomatic relations with Israel
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July 28, 2011 (JUBA) – The newly born Republic of South Sudan has
officially established full diplomatic ties with the state of Israel
three weeks after it became independent, revealed the caretaker
minister of information, Banaba Marial Benjamin.
JPEG - 34.8 kb
A Southern Sudanese man holds the flags of South Sudan and Israel
during independence celebrations in Tel Aviv , Israel, Sunday, July
10, 2011 (AP)
On Thursday, President Salva Kiir Mayardit received an official letter
from the Israeli government, congratulating the leadership for
attaining independence of their new country and pledging for
establishing full diplomatic relations with South Sudan.
In an official statement he read out on South Sudan TV today, Barnaba
Marial further explained that the two countries will soon open their
respective embassies in Juba and Tel Aviv at ambassadorial levels.
He said the letter also praised the leadership in South Sudan for
their wise strategy and focus that has successfully sailed their ship
across the river to the other side of the shore towards independence.
The government’s spokesperson further lauded the new development,
saying the diplomatic ties with the Jewish state will also enable
South Sudan to contribute to resolutions of the ongoing conflicts in
the Middle East.
Most countries in the Arab League, including North Sudan, do not have
diplomatic relations with Israel and consider the latter an enemy
state.
The move is an assertion of how South Sudan’s foreign policy will
differ from Khartoum as it establishes itself on the world stage.
South Sudan is home mainly to Christians and those with African
traditional beliefs in contrast to the Islam-dominated North.
South Sudan broke away from the rest of Sudan on 9 July following an
overwhelming vote for independence in a referendum conducted in
January 2011. The exercise came as a result of a self-determination
right provided for in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed
in 2005 to end 21 years of the second phase of the war between North
and South Sudan.
The Israeli government today also confirmed South Sudan’s announcement.
"The cooperation between the states will be based on the firm
foundations that guide them in forming friendly ties, out of equality
and mutual respect," Israeli foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said
in a statement.
Two weeks ago, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held talks by phone
with South Sudan president, Salva Kiir, offering Israeli help in the
areas of infrastructure, development and agriculture.
Israel is home to thousands of Sudanese refugees and migrant workers
who arrived on foot after crossing Egypt’s Sinai peninsular.
(ST)
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