- The Washington Times - Saturday, July 9, 2011

Juba, SOUTH SUDAN — Southern Sudanese and dignitaries from around the world watched the new flag of the Republic of South Sudan be raised for the first time at independence celebrations in the new country’s capital, Juba, on Saturday.

The crowd turned ecstatic as the flag was raised while the old one was lowered.

South Sudan became the world’s newest country on Saturday.

South Sudan’s president, Salva Kiir Mayardit, signed the transitional constitution and then took the oath of office with his hand on the document.

Moments earlier, James Wani Igga, the speaker of the legislative assembly, read aloud the proclamation of independence to cheers from the crowd.

A Bari community member holds the flag of southern Sudan during celebrations on the eve of their declaration of independence in Juba, southern Sudan, Friday, July 8, 2011. Southern Sudan is set to declare independence from the north on Saturday. (AP Photo/David Azia)
A Bari community member holds the flag of southern Sudan during celebrations ... more >

“We have waited for this day for 56 years,” said James Makuach, who was among the tens of thousands of Southern Sudanese gathered under a blazing sun.

“I have only seen war, so this is an emotional moment for me. No more war,” he added.

Northerners and southerners were engaged in a two-decade long civil war that left around 2 million people dead. That conflict ended in 2005 with the Comprehensive Peace Agreement.

Mr. Mayardit noted that for years southerners were treated like refugees in their own country.

“We have to forgive, but we will not forget,” he added.

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir stood with his former enemies and congratulated them on their independence.

Southerners voted overwhelmingly in a Jan. 9 referendum to secede from the north. A similar referendum was to be held in Abyei, an oil-rich region that straddles the border that divides north from south and is claimed by both sides. Both sides are nowhere close to reaching a solution on Abyei.

President Obama said in a statement that the status of Abyei must be resolved through negotiations. He added that the Comprehensive Peace Agreement must be fully implemented and violence in the northern Sudanese state of Southern Kordofan must end.

Speaking at the event in Juba, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon also made a pointed reference to the fact that the CPA has not been fully implemented. He referred to the situation involving Abyei as well as the violence in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile states where he said the “voices of the people” have not been heard.

“Let differences be resolved around the negotiating table,” Mr. Ban said.

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