July 9, 2011, marked the birth of the world's youngest nation: republic of south Sudan, making it Africa's 54th state, world's 196th's country, and 193rd UN member. Today, July 9th, will go down in the history of the republic of south Sudan as the official independent day. Several heads of states, foreign diplomats, heads of missiion, and foreign dignataries around the world are attending the event which kick start as early as 11 am Sudan local time at the Dr. John Garang musoleam. As stipulated in the 2005 peace deal signed in 2005 to mark the end of war between the north and south sudan. Just a month earlier, a referendum was held which saw southerner vote overwhelmingly in favour of secession from the north.