Yesterday, South Sudan became the newest country when it officially seceded from Sudan. After decades of bloody civil war that left 1.5 million dead, a 2005 peace deal allowed autonomy within South Sudan. A referendum in January of 2011 showed that close to 99% of the population voted for independence. On July 9th, South Sudan finally raised its own flag, and was immediately recognized by its norther neighbor Sudan, as well as a group of Western countries. While encouraging signs were shown to ease the transition, critical concerns must be addressed to ensure peace in the fragile region.
In 2008, Kosovo unilaterally declared independence from Serbia. To this date, less than half of United Nation members formally recognize Kosovo; Serbia doesn't recognize Kosovo. South Sudan, on the other hand, has seen numerous recognitions, including the first from Sudan. The marking of the independence in South Sudan was attended by Omar Hassan al-Bashir, the President of Sudan who had tried to keep Africa's largest nation united. His presence was a "key gesture of goodwill," and al-Bashir reinforces his concilatory stances by remarking that "the will of the people of the South has to be respected."
Yet challenges remain for South Sudan, both internal and external. It is one of world's least developed countries with the worst maternal mortality rate. Security is also a challenge, as there are active rebel groups within the country. On a broader perspective, border and citizenship issues with its new neighbor Sudan have yet to be determined. Dividing oil wealth is another huge challenge. Although South Sudan comprises only around a third of the former Sudan, it possesses about three quarters of the oil reserves. Although a huge step was marked in the progression toward peace with the independence of South Sudan, important new issues must be addressed diplomatically in order to avoid a renewal of warfare in the region.
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