On Saturday, July 9, 2011, South Sudan became the world's 196th independent country. Although not yet a member of the United Nations (there is a process for membership), South Sudan quickly received international recognition (including the United States, United Kingdom, and the other three permanent members of the United Nations Security Council), making its status legitimate as an independent country.
The United Kingdom and China have already established embassies in Juba (population 250,000), the capital of the world's newest country with more to follow in the coming days. Sudan, the country from which South Sudan seceded, actually recognized South Sudan a day early, on July 8. In addition to the United Nations, the African Union is likely to approve South Sudan's membership without delay. The new United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS) began on July 9; peacekeepers and observers are scheduled to remain in the new country for an initial period of one year.
