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South Sudan counts down to independence South Sudan counts down to independence
(40 minutes later)
South Sudan is counting down the hours until it becomes the world's newest nation on Saturday 9 July.South Sudan is counting down the hours until it becomes the world's newest nation on Saturday 9 July.
Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir and dignitaries from around the world will be attending the celebrations in the southern capital, Juba.Sudan's President Omar al-Bashir and dignitaries from around the world will be attending the celebrations in the southern capital, Juba.
More than 99% of southerners voted to split from the north of Sudan in a referendum in January.More than 99% of southerners voted to split from the north of Sudan in a referendum in January.
The poll was agreed as part of the 2005 deal to end the two-decade civil war in which some 1.5 million people died.The poll was agreed as part of the 2005 deal to end the two-decade civil war in which some 1.5 million people died.
'No quarrel''No quarrel'
The celebrations will begin after midnight local time (2100 GMT) around the countdown clock in the centre of Juba.The celebrations will begin after midnight local time (2100 GMT) around the countdown clock in the centre of Juba.
The BBC's Will Ross in the town says in the lead-up to the historic event, radio stations have been playing South Sudan's new anthem. The BBC's Will Ross in the town says in the lead-up to the historic event, radio stations have been blaring out South Sudan's new anthem.
Earlier this week, Mr Bashir pledged his support to South Sudan and said he wanted the new country to be "secure and stable".Earlier this week, Mr Bashir pledged his support to South Sudan and said he wanted the new country to be "secure and stable".
"We will bless our brothers in the south over their country and we wish them success," said Mr Bashir, who signed the 2005 peace deal with the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA)."We will bless our brothers in the south over their country and we wish them success," said Mr Bashir, who signed the 2005 peace deal with the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA).
But he warned "brotherly relations" depended on secure borders and non-interference in each others' affairs.
There had been fears that war could resume after recent fighting in two border areas, Abyei and South Kordofan, which has forced some 170,000 people from their homes.There had been fears that war could resume after recent fighting in two border areas, Abyei and South Kordofan, which has forced some 170,000 people from their homes.
But separate deals in recent weeks, and the withdrawal of rival forces from the border, have calmed tensions.But separate deals in recent weeks, and the withdrawal of rival forces from the border, have calmed tensions.
Rebecca Garang, the wife of the late John Garang who led southern rebels in the civil war, told the BBC her people had no quarrel with the people of the north, only with their government. Rebecca Garang, the wife of the late John Garang who led the southern rebels in the civil war, told the BBC her people had no quarrel with the people of the north, only with their government.
"There are many colleagues and comrades who perished during the war but we are here for their blood," she said.
"So we are very happy and grateful for their contribution for this nation."
Challenges ahead
Meanwhile, the US has called on Mr Bashir's government to allow UN peacekeepers to remain in the north, following threats from Khartoum to expel them from the northern states of South Kordofan and Blue Nile.Meanwhile, the US has called on Mr Bashir's government to allow UN peacekeepers to remain in the north, following threats from Khartoum to expel them from the northern states of South Kordofan and Blue Nile.
"It's vital that the United Nations be allowed to maintain a full peacekeeping presence in these areas for an additional period of time," Susan Rice, the US ambassador to the UN said.
Our correspondent says keeping both the north and the south stable long after the parties have ended will be a mighty challenge.
The two sides must still decide on issues such as drawing up the new border and how to divide Sudan's debts and oil wealth.
Analysts say the priority for Khartoum will be to negotiate a favourable deal on oil revenue, as most oilfields lie in the south.
At present, the revenues are being shared equally.
Khartoum has some leverage, as most of the oil pipelines flow north to Port Sudan on the Red Sea.
Sudan: A country divided Show regionsSudan: A country divided Show regions
The great divide across Sudan is visible even from space, as this Nasa satellite image shows. The northern states are a blanket of desert, broken only by the fertile Nile corridor. South Sudan is covered by green swathes of grassland, swamps and tropical forest.The great divide across Sudan is visible even from space, as this Nasa satellite image shows. The northern states are a blanket of desert, broken only by the fertile Nile corridor. South Sudan is covered by green swathes of grassland, swamps and tropical forest.
Sudan's arid north is mainly home to Arabic-speaking Muslims. But in South Sudan there is no dominant culture. The Dinkas and the Nuers are the largest of more than 200 ethnic groups, each with its own languages and traditional beliefs, alongside Christianity and Islam.Sudan's arid north is mainly home to Arabic-speaking Muslims. But in South Sudan there is no dominant culture. The Dinkas and the Nuers are the largest of more than 200 ethnic groups, each with its own languages and traditional beliefs, alongside Christianity and Islam.
The health inequalities in Sudan are illustrated by infant mortality rates. In South Sudan, one in 10 children die before their first birthday. Whereas in the more developed northern states, such as Gezira and White Nile, half of those children would be expected to survive.The health inequalities in Sudan are illustrated by infant mortality rates. In South Sudan, one in 10 children die before their first birthday. Whereas in the more developed northern states, such as Gezira and White Nile, half of those children would be expected to survive.
The gulf in water resources between north and south is stark. In Khartoum, River Nile, and Gezira states, two-thirds of people have access to piped drinking water and pit latrines. In the south, boreholes and unprotected wells are the main drinking sources. More than 80% of southerners have no toilet facilities whatsoever.The gulf in water resources between north and south is stark. In Khartoum, River Nile, and Gezira states, two-thirds of people have access to piped drinking water and pit latrines. In the south, boreholes and unprotected wells are the main drinking sources. More than 80% of southerners have no toilet facilities whatsoever.
Throughout Sudan, access to primary school education is strongly linked to household earnings. In the poorest parts of the south, less than 1% of children finish primary school. Whereas in the wealthier north, up to 50% of children complete primary level education.Throughout Sudan, access to primary school education is strongly linked to household earnings. In the poorest parts of the south, less than 1% of children finish primary school. Whereas in the wealthier north, up to 50% of children complete primary level education.
Conflict and poverty are the main causes of food insecurity in Sudan. The residents of war-affected Darfur and South Sudan are still greatly dependent on food aid. Far more than in northern states, which tend to be wealthier, more urbanised and less reliant on agriculture.Conflict and poverty are the main causes of food insecurity in Sudan. The residents of war-affected Darfur and South Sudan are still greatly dependent on food aid. Far more than in northern states, which tend to be wealthier, more urbanised and less reliant on agriculture.
Sudan exports billions of dollars of oil per year. Southern states produce more than 80% of it, but receive only 50% of the revenue. The pipelines run north but the two sides have still not agreed how to share the oil wealth in the future.Sudan exports billions of dollars of oil per year. Southern states produce more than 80% of it, but receive only 50% of the revenue. The pipelines run north but the two sides have still not agreed how to share the oil wealth in the future.