The Republic of South Sudan has become the world's newest nation by officially breaking away from Sudan after two civil wars and over five decades of conflict with the north. It is the 193rd country recognised by the UN.
A mood of joy and celebration swept through its capital Juba at midnight on Friday, with scenes of jubilation and sounds of church bells ringing. Thousands of people gathered with friends and family on the streets singing, dancing, banging drums and honking horns in celebration. The main ceremony on Saturday is due to include military parades, prayers, raising the newly proclaimed republic's flag and Salva Kiir, the country's first president, signing the transitional constitution.
North Sudan's Khartoum government was the first to recognise the new state, hours before the formal split took place, a move that smoothed the way to the division of what was until Friday Africa's largest country. Northern and southern leaders have still not agreed on a list of sensitive issues, most importantly the exact line of the border and how they will handle oil revenues, the lifeblood of both economies.