South Sudan declares independence

JUBA - The Republic of South Sudan declared independence Saturday, waiting to be recognized as the 193rd member of the United Nations and hoping to keep peace with the north after decades of war.

Speaker of South Sudan Legislative Assembly James Wani Igga read the Proclamation of the Independence of South Sudan, winning the cheers of hundreds of thousands of people who gathered at the Mausoleum of John Garang, the late leader of the ruling Sudan People's Liberation Movement.

A military parade was held before the parliament speaker proclaimed the birth of the Republic of South Sudan, and the new flag of South Sudan raised.

Salva Kiir Mayardit took the oath of office as President of the new republic after he signed the Transitional Constitution of South Sudan.

The crowds played local drums and danced. Many burst into tears when the national flag of South Sudan was hoisted. Slogans of " Long live South Sudan" and "Long live freedom" were shouted repeatedly by hundreds of thousands of people.

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir stood beside Kiir to watch the military parade led by the Sudan People's Liberation Army, who had fought decades of war with the Sudanese government troops.

"Finally we are independent. Millions of lives have not been lost in vain," SPLA Chief of Staff General James Hoth Mai told Xinhua, "We want to keep peace with the north and we are confident to guard our people."

There is no battle in the border areas although the situation in the contested Abyei region is still tense, he said.

"As a newly founded nation, we want to communicate with all the members of the international community," he said, "We have oil, fertile land and brave people, but we have no skills or infrastructure. We need the world to help us develop from almost zero."

Sudanese President Bashir, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and representatives from the Arab League, African Union and European Union are expected to speak at the ceremony.

During the referendum to decide the fate of unity or division of Africa's largest country in January, nearly 99 percent of the voters approve the secession of the south from Sudan. The result was recognized by the Sudanese government and the international community, paving the way for the south's independence on July 9.