South Sudan proclaims independence, raises flag
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 9 July 2011 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, South Sudan proclaims independence, raises flag, 9 July 2011, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4e2043a728.html [accessed 22 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Last updated (GMT/UTC): 09.07.2011 11:38
A South Sudanese flag is prepared for South Sudan's Independence Day celebrations in Juba.
South Sudan raised the flag of its new nation for the first time today, as thousands of South Sudanese citizens and dozens of international dignitaries attended celebrations in the capital, Juba.
The flag raising came as the speaker of parliament, James Wani Igga, proclaimed that "we, the democratically elected representives of the people, hereby declare Southern Sudan to be an independent and sovereign state."
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is among international dignitaries attending the celebrations, along with Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir.
The new country won its independence in a January referendum – the climax of a 2005 peace deal that ended decades of civil war with Sudan's Khartoum government.
The government in Khartoum was the first to recognize the new state on July 8, but its recognition does not dispel fears of future tensions between the two countries, including over territory and oil.
compiled from agency reports
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
