Today ,we witness the birth of a new nation. South Sudan is officially an independent country after a referendum overwhelmingly saw its citizens opt to separate. This effective cuts Sudan, Africa’s largest country, in half. Sudan endured years of civil war between the Arab Musim government based in the north and Christians and animists in the South.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was amongst the international dignitaries present for the ceremonies. He will also discuss South Sudan’s membership in the United Nations.

This is only the first step for the fledgling nation as there is little infrastructure or formal government in place. There still remains negotiations over where the border will actually be drawn and the status of its citizens, including who will vote.

(Via World leaders, South Sudanese celebrate world’s newest nation CNN)