What Year Was South Sudan Founded?

South Sudan officially became an independent sovereign state on July 9, 2011.

Key Dates

• January 9–15, 2011: Independence referendum held; 98.83% voted for secession.
• July 9, 2011: Formal declaration of independence; admitted as 193rd UN member state on July 14.

Context

Prior to 2011, the territory was the southern region of the Republic of Sudan. The split followed the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement ending Africa's longest civil war. South Sudan is the world's youngest widely recognized country.