Secretary-General's press encounter in Juba, Sudan

SG: I'm here because of that peace agreement. And I hope to be able to discuss the implementation of the agreement with the leaders of the region. I will also be seeing members of the constitutional committee in Rumbek and I have come here to have discussions with the government and also discuss humanitarian issues and how we can bring additional assistance to the region and encourage the international community to deliver as quickly as possible on the pledges that they have made so far so that we can consolidate the peace that was signed in Naivasha.

Q: South Sudanese think that the UN has been concerned about the war in Darfur than the war in the south. Do you think the UN has a special reason for that? Second, you have visited Darfur and saw the situation yourself. Who do you think among the warring parties that is an obstacle to end the conflict there?

SG: Let me say the United Nations has been engaged in south Sudan for over 21 years. We have not been negligent. Yes, you may say we're not bringing in troops the way the African Union troops are today operating in Darfur. But we have always been conscious of the needs of the people of the south. And eve as we speak, we've been pressing to get additional resources, not only to help the humanitarian front but also to help to implement the peace agreement and eventually for recover and reconstruction. Darfur is a burning conflict now. Many people are dying. And we have a serious situation that we are trying to bring under control so that we have peace, all over Sudan, not just the north-south comprehensive agreement but also peace in Darfur, which will allow the country to move forward as one united and peaceful country.