In preparation for the upcoming independence day celebrations, southern Sudanese authorities work to improve the roads, public spaces and the international airport in Juba, which will be the capital of the newest country in the world come 9 July. UNMIS
As Southern Sudan heads for independence in July, the last of the Sudan Armed Forces Joint Integrated Unit (JIU) members have begun leaving Juba, by barge for the north. UNMIS
South Sudan’s Vice President Riek Machar tells reporters that there has been unanimous approval to call the world’s newest country “the Republic of South Sudan” when it comes into existence on 9 July. UNMIS
UN Special Representative in Sudan Haile Menkerios speaks to the press about Sudan’s President Omar Al-Bashir’s acceptance of the South Sudan referendum results adding that “not accepting would mean going back to war.” UNTV
Addressing the Security Council on the final results of Sudan’s referendum, UN Special Envoy to Sudan Haile Menkerios says that 7 February 2011 will be remembered and celebrated in Sudan’s and Africa’s history as a day when “the longest running civil war in the continent’s recent history came to a definitive end, when the spirit [...]
Southern Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit says that the announcement of the referendum results marked the end of an era of war and atrocities and a beginning to a new era of freedom, justice and equality. UNMIS
The official results by the Southern Sudan Referendum Commission are released today. An overwhelming majority of the voters - almost 99 per cent – have chosen secession of Southern Sudan. Locals in Juba react to the announcement. UNMIS
Thousands of South Sudanese including President Salva Kiir gather at the John Garang mausoleum grounds in Juba to hear the first official figures released by the South Sudan Referendum Commission charged with conducting the referendum. UNMIS
The Southern Sudan Referendum Commission releases preliminary official results in Juba indicating that voters overwhelmingly endorsed the secession of Sudan’s ten southern states from the rest of the country. UNMIS
As residents of Southern Sudan celebrate secession results with an announcement that over 99 percent of people have voted for a separation from the north, Khartoum residents express mixed feelings about the outcome. UNMIS