South Sudan becomes an independent nation

Jul 10,2011:South Sudan will today emerge as the 54th nation of Africa. It was born out of referendum in January this year when nearly 99 per cent of mainly Christian and Animist in South Sudan voted for independence from the Muslim and Arab majority, ending years of civil war.The historic moment will be witnessed by Vice President Mohd. Hamid Ansari, signalling India's support for the nation.Oil-rich South Sudan became the world's newest country on Saturday, splitting away from Khartoum-ruled north after decades of brutal war that claimed some two million lives.

Glorious celebration of the long-awaited independence began in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, at midnight last night (0230 IST Saturday morning).New national anthem of South Sudan, which became the 193rd country in the world and 54th UN member state in Africa, was played on television, marking the culmination of the January independence referendum.Frenzied people poured into the city streets, dancing, banging drums, waving flags and chanting the name of Salva Kiir Mayardit, the President of the new nation.

"The Republic of Sudan announces that it recognises the Republic of South Sudan as an independent state, according to the borders existing on January 1, 1956," Minister of Presidential Affairs Bakri Hassan Saleh said in a statement broadcast on state television."The government of Sudan is committed to implementing the comprehensive peace agreement (CPA) and to resolving all the post-referendum issues," Saleh said.

India was one of the first Asian countries to open a consulate in Juba in 2007.
"It is a historic occasion. A new country is coming into existence and it is appropriate for India to be there for the celebration of independence. It is the final product of efforts of international community to bring about a peaceful resolution," Vice President Ansari, who is representing India at the independence day celebration in Juba, said on Friday.