South Sudan: a new country

Southern Sudan is a landlocked autonomous region in the southern part of the Sudan. A referendum on independence for Southern Sudan was held in January 2011, with 98.83% of the electorate opting for secession. The President of Sudan, Omar al-Bashir, accepted the results and issued a Republican Decree confirming the outcome of the referendum. Southern Sudan is expected to become an independent country on 9 July 2011. Upon independence, the country will be named the Republic of South Sudan "out of familiarity and convenience", according to members of a steering committee on post-independence governing.