South Sudan formally declared new State

By PETER OPIYO in Juba, South Sudan

A sea of humanity waving miniature flags erupted into delirium to celebrate the birth of a nation, after 21-years of civil war that threatened to throw into uncertainty the future of this oil-rich nation.

In an ordinate defiance to mother nature, South Sudanese braved the scorching heat and danced, clapped, shouted and beat away drums to mark the hard-won secession from the North.

Southern Sudanese celebrate independence from Northern Sudan at midnight in Juba, Saturday, July 9, 2011. South Sudan becomes the world’s newest nation, officially breaking away from Sudan after two civil wars over five decades that cost the lives of millions. (Photo/AP)

Women clad in South Sudan’s flag, wept by the giant statue of liberation hero John Garang De Mabior, draped in national flag, some holding Bibles and small crosses, invoking God’s name for the gift of a new baby.

A mosaic of tunes from all sorts of instruments reflected a poignant frenzy that reached its climax as the country’s flag was hoisted on a 32-metre pole and a three-stanza new anthem sung to signify the birth of the Republic of South Sudan.

The crowds estimated to be more than 500,000 had trooped to the De Mabior Mausoleum grounds four hours ahead of the ceremony to witness the birth of the world’s newest nation and reflect on the effects the civil war pitting the South against the North; a war triggered by the struggle over control and sharing of resources.