South Sudan declared as the world's newest nation

Early Saturday morning (July 8, 2011), South Sudan has been declared the world's newest nation and now officially separated from Sudan after two civil wars over five decades that cost the lives of at least 2 million people.

The newest nation is officially known as the Republic of South Sudan.

During its nationhood proclamation, the residents expressed their emotions of joy by dancing in the streets, banging of jerry cans and chanting the name of the world's newest president, Salva Kiir.

South Sudan earned independence at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, the culmination of a January independence vote guaranteed in a 2005 peace deal that ended the most recent north-south war. view full story