Southern Sudan Will Secede, US WIll Recognize New Nation

by Jordan Yerman | February 7, 2011 at 12:51 pm

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Southern Sudan Referendum: 98.8% Vote for Secession

The Souther Sudan referendum results show that 98.8% of voters in the region are in favor of seceding from Sudan and forming a new nation. Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has said that he accepts the result. Southern Sudan already has a flag.

Juba, the new capital of Southern Sudan, is largely undeveloped, though investment in infrastructure and housing is already ramping up in the private sector.

President Barack Obama has said that the USA will recognize Southern Sudan, which has a population of just under 9 million.

He said the U.S. will work with the governments of Sudan and Southern Sudan to ensure a peaceful transition.

The Bashir regime is looking to make hay from the Southern Sudan referendum:

South Sudan's leader Salva Kiir added to the conciliatory mood by promising to help the north campaign for the cancellation of its crippling debts and the easing of international trade sanctions. "President Bashir and (Bashir's) National Congress party deserve a reward," Kiir told a meeting of Sudan's cabinet in Khartoum.

However, groups such as Human Rights Watch assert that genocide is still taking place in Sudan, and protests are still being quashed with deadly force; as such, the al-Bashir regime should not be rewarded or let off the hook for past and ongoing behavior.

Much work remains to be done, starting with formalizing the split with Sudan, and coming to a decision about the border region of Abyei, home to nobadic Misseriya cattle-herders.

A new currency must be established. Diplomatic missions need to be opened. And a country name must be chosen.

Critical negotiations still must be held with the north to decide on citizenship rights, oil rights and even the final border demarcation.