The birth of a nation: South Sudan

Yesterday, we welcomed to the world our newest country, South Sudan, which officially ceded from Sudan after a referendum vote earlier this year that approved the measure. This effectively ends the civil war in Sudan between the Arab Muslims that control the government in the north and the African Christians and Animists in the south. There is still fighting about the exact borders, and the South Sudan faces problems such as a lack of currency and infrastructure, but to make up for it they sit on large oil reserves which will generate a lot of revenue for the country. Despite those challenges though, it is nice to see a new country form democratically in a region that is plagued by corrupt governments and dictators. South Sudan has been recognized by a handful of countries, including the United States and has alraedy opened an embassy in Washington. Sudan also recognizes the newly independent country by opening an embassy in the South Sudanese capitol of Juba. The United Nations will vote on the membership status of South Sudan later this month and the Arab league has offered full membership to the new nation. Salva Kiir Mayardit, a former leader of the rebellion against Sudan, was sworn as the new president yesterday after the new constitution was signed. I have to admit, I dig that guy's style with the black fedora. South Sudan, all of us here at The Young and Opinionated salute you and wish you nothing but peace and prosperity.