Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


    July 09, 2011

South Sudan Celebrates Independence

   VOA News
   People dance on a car during South Sudan's independence day
   celebrations in Juba, July 9, 2011
   Photo: Reuters
   People dance on a car during South Sudan's independence day
   celebrations in Juba, July 9, 2011

   The new nation of South Sudan has formally declared its independence.
   Speaker of parliament James Wani Igga read the official declaration
   Saturday in front of hundreds of thousands gathered for ceremonies in
   the capital, Juba.

                                                   South Sudan At A Glance
     * Total Population is 8.26 million
     * Total Area is 644,329 sq. km
     * More than 51 percent of the population is under age 18
     * 72 percent of the population is under age 30
     * 83 percent of the population is rural
     * 27 percent of the adult population is literate
     * 51 percent of the population lives in poverty
     * 78 percent of households depend on crop or livestock farming for
       income
     * 55 percent of the population has access to safe drinking water
       Click [1]here for more S. Sudan facts

   The crowd roared as soldiers raised the new Southern Sudanese flag and
   lowered the flag of the north. President Salva Kiir then took the oath
   of office, swearing to uphold the constitution and to foster the
   development and welfare of South Sudan's people.
   The Republic of South Sudan became the world's newest country at
   midnight local time. Residents of Juba celebrated with parties in the
   streets.
   The celebration continued with ceremonies at a Juba stadium named after
   John Garang, who led southern forces during the long Sudanese civil
   war.
   A long list of dignitaries are addressing the crowd. U.N. chief Ban
   Ki-moon said South Sudan's people have claimed hold of the dignity and
   freedom that are their birthright.
   The head of the U.S. delegation, Ambassador Susan Rice, said South
   Sudan's future depends on strong government institutions that are free
   of corruption.
   Southern Sudan voted overwhelmingly to split from the north in a
   January referendum. The vote stemmed from a 2005 peace deal that ended
   the two-decade civil war.
   Already, South Sudan has been recognized by its northern neighbor.
   Sudan's minister for presidential affairs, Bakri Hassan Saleh, made the
   official announcement Friday. Egypt and the United States followed with
   recognition on Saturday.
   The declaration of independence, approved by South Sudan's parliament,
   calls for a system of governance that upholds rule of law, justice,
   democracy, human rights and respect for diversity.
   In the background of Saturday's festivities there are many challenges
   the new nation will face.
   South Sudan has been wracked with deadly violence, and has yet to
   resolve disputes with the north on borders and how to share oil
   revenue.
   On Friday, the U.N. Security Council approved a new peacekeeping force
   for South Sudan. The force will have up to 7,000 troops and 900
   civilian police.

   ^View the timeline of the world's newest nation - Republic of South
   Sudan

   IFRAME:
   [2]http://www.dipity.com/voamultilingual/Republic-of-South-Sudan-Worlds
   -Newest-Country/?mode=embed&ct=Jul 7, 2011&z=0#tl

   Some information for this report was provided by Reuters.

References

   1. http://ssccse.org/
   2. http://www.dipity.com/voamultilingual/Republic-of-South-Sudan-Worlds-Newest-Country/?mode=embed&ct=Jul%207,%202011&z=0#tl

.