01.01.2005 Saturday
A civil war in Sudan that lasted for 21 years, and claimed the lives of two million people, finally ended with an agreement between the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) and the Sudanese government to grant the southern part of the country independence.
Sudanese President Omer Hasan Al-Basir and South Africa President Thabo Mbeki, as well as many top-level African officials, were present at the signature ceremony, which was held in Naivasha, a town in Kenya.
Sudanese Vice Presidency Ali Osman Mohammed Taha and SPLA leader John Garang signed the agreement, indicating that they reached a final conclusion on the last two of eight protocols. The leaders agreed on the eight protocols within the frame of a two-year peace talk.
The last two protocols elucidate the implementation of the previous six, and the constitution of a permanent peace agreement. With the final agreement that will be signed in early January, the five-year transition period for the independence of South Sudan will began.
During this time, the southern part of the country will be autonomous and will conduct a series of studies to determine ways to sustain the region's independence.
With this agreement, a new coalitional government, including southerners with certain representation, will form in Sudan according to the previously signed protocols. Garang will be vice president.
South Sudan has roughly 10 million people. According to data from the United Nations, the majority of them are animist and Christians. Sudan will lose its largest oil fields with the creation of the new country. In addition, Southern Sudan has the most fertile forests in the while the Northern part of the country is mostly desert.
The country has more land than the combined area of France and Italy.