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 )
![Southern Sudanese celebrate first independence day in Juba, South Sudan, July 9, 2011. [AP]](http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2011_0709_south_sudan_m.jpg)