Southern Sudan Independence

Official referendum results released today in Khartoum confirmed earlier predictions that Southern Sudanese voted overwhelmingly for secession--99 percent in favor, according to the official results.  Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir accepted the results in a ceremony also attended by Southern Sudan's President Salva Kiir.  Al Jazeera reports here.  The White House issued a statement that the United States would recognize Southern Sudan "as a sovereign, independent state in July 2011."

Southern Sudan has been operating under an interim constitution since 2005, the year of the comprehensive peace agreement.  President Kiir recently formed a constitutional review committee chaired by Minister of Legal Affairs and Constitutional Development John Luk Jok to review that constitution as the region moves toward full independence.

SDS