South Sudan Celebrates Independence

Tens of thousands of people have gathered in South Sudan's capital for celebrations marking the new nation's independence.

South Sudan officially became the world's newest country at midnight local time Friday. Bashir flew into Juba Saturday.

Already, South Sudan has been recognized by its northern neighbor. Sudan's army is currently fighting pro-southern Sudan elements in the northern-controlled state of Southern Kordofan.

South Sudan’s parliament speaker proclaimed the fledgling state’s independence on Saturday, marking its birth as the world’s newest nation and splitting Africa’s largest country in two.

“We, the democratically elected representatives of the people, based on the will of the people of South Sudan, and as confirmed by the outcome of the referendum of self-determination, hereby declare South Sudan to be an independent and sovereign nation,” James Wani Igga announced.

South Sudan’s national flag was then raised, to wild applause, tears and song.

South Sudan raised the flag of its new nation for the first time Saturday, as thousands of South Sudanese citizens and dozens of international dignitaries swarmed the new country capital of Juba to celebrate the country's birth.

South Sudan became the world's newest country Saturday with a raucous street party at midnight. At a packed mid-day ceremony, the speaker of parliament read a proclamation of independence as the flag of Sudan was lowered and the flag of South Sudan was raised, sparking wild cheers from the crowd.

Thousands of South Sudanese poured into the ceremonial arena when gates opened. Uganda President Yoweri Museveni _ South Sudan's southern neighbor _ was among the many African leaders.

Though Saturday is a day of celebration, residents of South Sudan must soon face many challenges. Violence has broken out in the contested border region of Abyei in recent weeks, and fighting is ongoing in Southern Kordofan, a state that lies in Sudan _ not South Sudan _ but which has many residents loyal to the south. While South Sudan is now expected to control of more than 75 percent of what was Sudan's daily oil production, it has no refineries and southern oil must flow through the north's pipelines to reach market.