Southern Sudan to become world’s newest country

Southern Sudan will secede from its counterpart in the north to become the world’s newest country this July after the official results from January’s referendum were announced earlier this month.

Nearly 99 percent of the approximate 4 million voters chose to separate after decades of civil war. Mohammed Ibrahim Khalil, chairman of the southern Sudan referendum commission, which organized the vote, said the process was “peaceful” and “transparent,” noting that no one showed up to appeal the results, according to CNN.

The commission met with Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and First Vice President Salva Kiir on Feb. 7 and presented them with the results. National television networks reported that al-Bashir gave his commitment and acceptance of the referendum results.

President Barack Obama also pledged the United States’ support and recognition of southern Sudan as a sovereign and independent country come this summer. Many southern Sudanese refugees living in neighboring countries are expected to return to southern Sudan as it gains its independence.

But less than a week after the official results were released by Khalil, violence broke out in southern Sudan between the region’s military and rebel militants leaving more than 100 dead.

Even though the fighting had subsided at press time, there remains concerns about the difficult road that lies ahead as southern Sudan — which is one of the poorest, least developed areas in the world — seeks to govern itself. However, many Sudanese Christians are hopeful that this newfound independence will open more doors for the gospel and Christianity. (TAB)