New Nation

Six months ago today, Southern Sudan went to the polls to vote for secession.  “A referendum was held on independence, under the 2005 peace deal,” which was favoured by more than 99 per cent of voters, one of the very few times such a high percentage of votes on anything, anywhere, was not rigged.
Today (tomorrow here, but already today there), people are celebrating at midnight as Sudan’s Independence Day happens in real time. As South Sudan becomes the newest state, “the main ceremony is due to include military parades, prayers, raising the newly proclaimed Republic of South Sudan’s flag and Salva Kiir, the country’s first president, signing the transitional constitution.”