the birth of south sudan

in january 2011, after years of conflict and war, nearly 99 percent of southern sudanese voters approved a split with northern sudan in an internationally backed referendum. today, southern sudan will be christened the republic of south sudan and take its place as the 54th african nation.
here are two great recent new york times articles covering the past and future, the doubts and hopes and the problems and solutions that encompass the world's newest nation.
a new nation stands on wobbly feet
happy birthday southern sudan