Southern Sudan Votes to Form Africa's Newest Nation

The results of the Southern Sudan referendum were announced demonstrating that 98 percent of Sudanese voted in favor of independence for Southern Sudan in last month’s referendum. Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir says he will recognize the independent country.

“I addressed my people and brothers in the South, pledging to respect their choice and accept the outcome of that vote, …As separation has become a reality we, in this occasion, reaffirm acceptance of the results of the referendum, and we will be the first to recognize the state that will be born in womb of our country.” President Bashir said.

The referendum is part of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) which is supported by the UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS), the international community, and the Sudanese government. This agreement ended the 22-year war between the North and the South due to unequal distribution of oil wealth, arable land, and water. Competition over these resources has, for decades, fueled conflict between the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) in the North and the Sudanese People’s Liberation Army/Movement (SPLM), the main faction in the South. Official independence has been tentatively set for July 9.

U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Susan Rice congratulates the new nation, the Republic of South Sudan, and commends the government of Sudan for accepting these results.

Furthermore, she said, “we are also grateful to the leaders and peacekeepers of the UN Mission in Sudan for their invaluable assistance with the referendum. Now we urge the leaders of the north and south to spare no effort in addressing the great challenges that remain, including resolving the status of Abyei and key post-referendum arrangements - all of which are necessary to ensure a lasting peace.”

Sudan’s efforts have marked as a major historical event for the country, but there is still much work to be done to maintain peace, according to the UN.  

"As the Sudanese people adjust to the new realities on the ground, the CPA parties must shift their attention to the key post-referendum arrangements that will sustain the North-South relationship in the long term," UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said.

Learn more about UN Peacekeeping in Sudan - visit our pages on the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) andthe African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID).