SOUTH SUDAN DECLARES INDEPENDENCE TO TEARS OF JOY

SARA GHASEMILEE, Al Arabiya with Agencies

The South Sudanese parliament speaker read out the formal declaration of independence for the Republic of
South Sudan on Saturday, the final step in a 2005 deal that followed decades of war between the north and south. “We, the democratically elected representatives of the people, based on the will of the people of South Sudan, and as confirmed by the outcome of the referendum of self-determination, hereby declare South Sudan to be an independent and sovereign nation,” James Wani Igga announced. The independence declaration was read out in front of dozens of heads of state and foreign dignitaries and tens of thousands of cheering southerners. South Sudan’s national flag was then raised, to wild applause, tears and song.

Salva Kiir was sworn in as president of the world’s newest nation. “I … do hereby swear by Almighty God that as the president of the Republic of South Sudan I shall be faithful and bear true allegiance to the Republic of South Sudan,” Mr. Kiir said, reading out an oath on a podium before tens of thousands of southerners.

“We shall never, never surrender,” the crowd chanted, as people whistled and wiped tears from their eyes.

“I should cry for the recognition of this flag among the flags of the world,” shouted one tearful man.

The declaration of independence affirmed the new state’s democratic and multi-ethnic and multi-confessional character, and its commitment to friendly relations with all countries “including the Republic of Sudan”, Mr. Igga said.