Our Series on Secessions takes us to South Sudan, a country that officially seceded from Sudan in 2011.
The modern country of Sudan became independent in 1956. Until then, it had been created by Great Britain, officially as a condominium with Egypt to the North. Sudan was never an homogeneous country. The Nile Valley, North of the confluence of the Blue and White Niles, is populated by Arab tribes, while further South, populations are a mix of Sub-Saharan tribes of diverse ethno-linguistic origins.
The regions that were least influenced by the dominant Arab group in the North never accepted their fate. As early as the 1950s, Great Britain had envisioned to split the country into a North and South Sudan, but this did not materialize. Ethnic strife remained throughout the existence of the unified country, and by 2005, it was agreed that South Sudan could secede after a winning referendum. The winning referendum, official independence, and admission to the UN of South Sudan all took place in 2011. As of 2022, South Sudan is the most recent member of the United Nations Organization.
South Sudan in 2022
