Let's welcome the birth of a new nation, South Sudan

World Watch
July 9, 2011 12:53 PM

U.S. welcomes birth of new nation, South Sudan

By Pamela Falk

Declaring the "birth of a new nation," President Barack Obama welcomed the creation of the new state, the Republic of South Sudan, which was negotiated six years ago after a bloody civil war by then-Secretary of State Colin Powell.

"A proud flag flies over Juba and the map of the world has been redrawn," Mr. Obama said in a statement recognizing the new country. "These symbols speak to the blood that has been spilled, the tears that have been shed, the ballots that have been cast, and the hopes that have been realized by so many millions of people. The eyes of the world are on the Republic of South Sudan. And we know that southern Sudanese have claimed their sovereignty, and shown that neither their dignity nor their dream of self-determination can be denied."