SSLA Speaker Declares ROSS An Independent State

9 July 2011—(Juba) — The speaker of the South Sudan Legislative Assembly, James Wani Igga, on Saturday declared southern Sudan an independent state.

Wani Igga announced the independent state of South Sudan in Juba at the Doctor John Garang Mausoleum where the celebrations were being held on Sartuday.

[Wani Igga]: “We the democratically elected representatives of the people, based on the will of the people of Southern Sudan. And as conformed by the outcome of the referendum of self-determination hereby declare Southern Sudan to be an independent and sovereign state. With full international legal personality to be known henceforth as the Republic of South Sudan.”

Wani Igga stressed that the Republic of South Sudan will respect the human rights of all Southern Sudanese.

The celebrations was attended by dignitaries from the international community including Us envoy to the UN, Susan Rice, UN Secretary General Ban ki-moon and president Omar al-Bashir among others.