020 - South Sudan votes to secede

Sudan, - Taken from Realpolitik -

99% of South Sudanese voters have voted for the independence of South Sudan.

99.57 percent of the polled counted votes have opted for independence according to the referendum commission of South Sudan. Even early predictions based on initial counts had suggested that Southern Sudan had voted securely and beyond doubt to become the world's newest country.

The week long vote ending on January 15^th to decide between a continuation of alliance or separation into two lands was agreed as part of a 2005 deal to end the civil war. A national flag and anthem have already been chosen, though debate still exists over the exact name of any resulting new land. Most people assume the new land will likely be referred to as South/Southern Sudan, though other suggestions are New Sudan or Cush (after a biblical kingdom in the area) have been mooted. The priority for North Sudan will be to maintain as much of its valuable oil wealth as is feasibly possible, as most of Sudan’s oil is situated in the south.

It is likely that the final result will be declared on February 6^th, or on February 14^th if an appeal against the results is lodged. President Omar Bashir has already agreed he would accept the results of any vote, therefore South Sudan will become the world’s newest nation on July 9^th this year.