Somalia recognizes independence of South Sudan

Sunday, July 10, 2011

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The Somali government on Sunday announced that it has formally recognized the independence of South Sudan after the newest African state celebrated its sovereignty on Saturday, state radio reported.

The announcement came as a high level delegation led by Somali President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed attended Saturday's celebration of the declaration of independence for the new Republic of South Sudan in its capital Juba.

"Somalia is pleased to be one of the first states to recognize the new state of South Sudan as member of an independent and sovereign states of Africa," State radio Mogadishu reported quoting Somalia's acting minister of information.

The Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed in the Kenyan capital Nairobi in 2005 between Sudanese government and the then southern leadership ended decades of deadly civil war, paving the way for the creation of the Republic of South Sudan.

The celebrations for the new South Sudan were marked with jubilant scenes in the new country's capital and other cities as well as in South Sudanese communities throughout the world.

The festivities which were beamed live all over the world were closely followed throughout the continent and were attended by top international leaders.

The Somali government said it will work with the leaders of the new state in areas of mutual interest and deepen diplomatic and trade ties with South Sudan where a large Somali community have established businesses as their home country reels from two decades of civil conflict.

Hiiraan Online