statedept:

Southern Sudanese celebrate first independence day in Juba, South Sudan, July 9, 2011. [AP]

President Barack Obama announced today that the United States formally recognizes the Republic of South Sudan as a sovereign and independent state upon this day, July 9, 2011.

President Obama said, “After so much struggle by the people of South Sudan, the United States of America…

(Source: blogs.state.gov )