Sudan: Southern Sudan becomes Africa’s newest nation · Global Voices
Ndesanjo Macha

This post is part of our special coverage South Sudan Referendum 2011.
Southern Sudan has officially become Africa's newest nation after Southern Sudanese voted for secession from the north. Official referendum figures released on Monday showed that 98.83 per cent of voters from the south chose to secede from the north. This is a roundup of reaction to referendum results.
Two sons of southern Sudan freedom fighter, Gordon Muortat Mayen Mabor, hold his pictures while waiting to cast their votes in the South Sudan independence referendum in London, UK. Photo by P Nutt, copyright © Demotix (09/01/2010).
Pascal Ladu posts a podcast capturing the historical moment when the Southern Sudan Referendum Commission declared the official preliminary referendum results in Juba:
A large crowd of Southern Sudanese gathered at the Mausoleum of Dr. John Garang in Juba to celebrate the announcement of the official preliminary referendum results on Sunday. The results showed almost unanimous support for secession throughout Southern Sudan. The colourful occasion was marked with singing, dancing, blowing of horns and beating of drums. The results, announced by the Chairperson of the Southern Sudan Referendum Commission and his Deputy, were met with thunderous applause from the crowd.
As'ad questions America's double standard:
Compare the speed in which the US government has recognized the Southern Sudan state and the treatment of Palestine by the US government.
Law Hawk says that Southern Sudan will need to rely on its northern neighbor:
Still, South Sudan will need to rely on its northern neighbor as the main oil pipeline from the Southern oil fields must travel through Sudan to generate much of the income needed by the country to get off its feet.
How will Southern Sudan attract investors?:
In Sudan , or Ex-Sudan; we had lots of politicians.. Maturity is rare.. However said, should refer to benchmarks.. not actions..!
Without benchmarking, any action might be called wonderful..!! while it is a slip to hill..!!
I don't mean to question any officials or representatives, but the Bell Syndrome tells that only 2% (on any level) would be able visualize the big picture.. You need to learn all lessons around, to smooth your way forward without glow, fake or deformed interests..
If you would trust a “Darfurese” knowledge-based expert..
Ok, let's meet the facts without those nicely said words..
With almost 80% illiteracy, 0.5% graduates, 0% infrastructure, 50% political unrest and 99% tribal mind-set.. This is not a recipe for IFDs or PPPs, but only for UN/Gov Aid..
Unless you draw your own realistic visions on government (what Singapore did), on Capacity building (i.e, Balkan), on governance (i.e, S Africa); South Sudan will unlikely attract investors..! They are greedy and cautious..
Kizzie is very jealous of Southern Sudanese:
A good friend of mine said that Northerners are upset about the South Sudan referendum because they are jealous that the Southerners have the chance to vote and every Southern vote makes a difference, we have nothing.
Yes, I have to admit..I'm very jealous. I registered to vote in April's elections, but my candidate of choice withdrew from the race and I was left wondering whether my voice would have made a difference in the first place.
Sudanese Optimist is happy for Southern Sudan but…:
Although I am very happy for South Sudan to finally gain their independence from the condescending haters in the North, I am truly sad to see that we’ve lost such a vibrant part of ‘our’ Sudanese culture. Perhaps out of watching all the crazy politics lately, the most thing that stuck with me is the Prayer of Saint Francis read yesterday during the secession announcement. Perhaps it is because I have been in never ending zen state for the past few months, but it just seems that all the political news were noise, and the minute I heard this, I can finally hear humanity speak, not politics…and I sure like that
Lodiong Morris reports that the North and the South have resolved the issue of citizenship status:
According to the Minister, the semi-autonomous Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) and the National Government agreed that those Southerners who wish to remain in the North can become citizens of the North if they so wish. Northerners in the South can equally be granted Southern citizenship rights if they so choose: “We have agreed that Northerners in the South and Southerners in the North will have their rights respected and be given citizenship if they choose, after the declaration of the results”.
This post is part of our special coverage South Sudan Referendum 2011.