Voting began Sunday in a referendum for the citizens of South Sudan to determine whether they should secede and form an independent country from Sudan. Voting will continue through Saturday January 15th and results will likely not be revealed for at least four weeks due to the difficulties in tabulating ballots in a large region that lacks paved roads.
Although the South Sudanese are likely to pass the referendum with a vote exceeding 99% in favor of independence, to officially pass 60% of those registered to vote must vote in the referendum. The world's likely newest independent country, which has not yet selected a name (but has selected a flag and national anthem), would become the world's 196th country on July 9, 2011. The south, which is primarily Christian, has been in a civil war with the predominantly Muslim north since the 1950s, even before Sudan became independent of the United Kingdom. This historic vote provides South Sudan with the opportunity for self-determination and may begin a process of African regions removing the yoke of colonialism that was formalized in the 1884-1885 Berlin Conference which established the continent's ineffective borders. (Image: Voters celebrate with the flag of South Sudan during the first day of voting for the independence referendum in the southern Sudanese capital city of Juba on January 9, 2011. Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Comments
So does this mean that this example will become the standard in oppressed and repressed sub-national groups around the world? First East Timor, then Kosovo, now Southern Sudan.
“So does this mean that this example will become the standard in oppressed…”
I feel that the statement above opposses such political scenarios to happen!
It’s not even the model, but when choice leads to meet peoples aspirations – its a decision, not a standard!!
You should have said, “So thankful that such countries will now determine their own destiny and resources”.
could someone explain the specific re: the area known as Abyei on the border between North/South Sudan, its significance and why it isn’t (from what I understand) being included in the lands of either side of the new border..?
Re the naming of ‘South Sudan’, the region (loosely) was named Equatoria in the 19th. century – although it does just miss!
Re Abyei, I don’t believe it has any (economic, for instance) significance. The populations are simply divided in loyalties (e.g. West Virginia in the ACW etc.). I’d have thought a separate plebiscite could have achieved an amicable division?
Yep, there are so many ex-colonial illogical ‘national’ divisions still all over the world.
Previously, my feeling was that reverting to a patchwork of smaller states (Balkanisation etc.) was not too practical.
But there are so many areas in which these encompassed divisions still cause conflict.
Many of Nigeria’s woes, for instance, could still be solved by a division into maybe three nations – still each of good size.
I was recently in Montenegro, Bosnia & Croatia – all now very small ‘new’ nations trying to establish their identities.
My feeling now is that, with transformed international communications particularly, such divisions could happily survive, and in greater harmony.
I suggest that the new born country in Southern Sudan be called JUBA as we have similar countries in the world having the same name as their capitals such as Algeria, Tunisia,Djibuti,Kuwait,Brazilia and Panama,
Sami Alamuddin
Beirut-Lebanon
I hope to see Iraq is splitting into two countries like Sudan and finally see another country under the name of Kurdistan(republic of Kirghistan) it is our dream in Kurdistan we are sever from living under the racism in many countries (turkey Iran Iraq Syria Armenia Azerbaijan and Georgia and Russia
The people of the Sudan have proved to be civilized enough to solve thier problems so peacefully in a world whose prime means of interaction is based on violence and force.Despite the fact that dividing a country seems so painful and regretful, it could be wise and rational if it is the only way out to stop and forget for ever bloodshed and war. I regret that but I respect the choice of fellow southern Sudanese.
What exactly are you a doctor of?? is it like a nickname? do they call you doctor in the village or something? Putting doctor in front of your name in an anonymous chat post does not make you sound more credible or worthy in any way. It actually makes you less credible because a real doctor wouldn’t feel the need to validate his words. good luck jonathan hahaah
They call me Dr.Faiz. I do not know why are you worried about how I call myself or how do they call me. This is the Capital city of the Sudan, not a village. I wanted to see something objective, or somehting of some relevance to what we are talking about, so that we learn through interacting with each other.Is it O.k.
The remarkable number of comments piqued my curiosity so I looked up some facts – and they are grim. Since complete Independence from UK and Egypt, Sudan has been in continuous turmoil, and since 1986 “there has been unending civil war. (Time Almanac of 2007)
Reader comment above, “The people of the Sudan have proved to be civilized enough to solve their problems…” seems to me to be unfounded and wildly optimistic.
Somaliland have to be reconize now
1/ England please
2/ France should follow
3/ Italia
4/ China should understand because they accept allready
South Soudan Independance
Sudan has been independent for almost 60 years. It is a large country, 4 or 5 times the area of France, with a rapidly growing population of 43 million. In this vast country they have one railroad line. One, and no highway system. They are dependant on imported food.
Sudan has one blessing: oil. But nearly all of it lies in what is expected to be in the new country of South Sudan. After decades of ongoing civil war is the North going to say, “OK, the oil is yours. We Muslims will just have to learn to eat sand.” Anyone want to take a bet?
I believe the reason why there are many conflicts in Africa is the lack common understanding. Our african brothers in sudan have been able to resolve this unlike Nigeria our west african counterpart. There are so many reasons in which a country might be divided into 2 sovereign and independent states but I believe dividing a country based on religious believes is the wisest of all bcos the majority of the ppl have a common belief and understanding of the Almighty. Peace
What is ur problem Joseph Osei. can’t you make ur comment without mentioning Nigeria, why can’t talk about ur country Ghana.
I have been looking in vain to see how they are going to divide up the oil revene. The oil is nearly all in the South but they have no way to get it out except through the North.
The oil money is an absolute necessity. What a daunting problem for people who have just spent a couple of generations in turmoil and war.