South Sudan became Africa’s newest nation on July 9. Its independence from the northern Sudanese government was the culmination of two decades of civil war and a January 2011 referendum in which 99 percent of south Sudanese voted for self-rule.
With 80 percent of Sudan’s oil reserves within its own territory, South Sudan would appear to have a rosy future.
But it relies almost entirely on aid groups to meet the health and education needs of its people. It also relies on pipelines through the north to get its oil to market. Border disputes with the north and internal divisions at home also threaten the new country’s security.
Scott Baldauf covered South Sudan with Maggie Fick (Sudan).
Highlights of the Monitor's coverage of South Sudan's independence:
Battle for Abyei could ignite civil war in Sudan – by Scott Baldauf in Johannesburg, South Africa, and Maggie Fick in Mayen Abun, South Sudan
South Sudan erupts in sheer joy as it becomes world's newest nation – by Maggie Fick in Juba, South Sudan
'A dream come true' as South Sudan launches new nation – by Maggie Fick in Juba, South Sudan
