THANKS, W:

Approaching Referendum in Sudan: 'Already Flying the Flag of an Independent State' (Volkhard Windfuhr, 12/21/10, Der Spiegel)

Southern Sudan's regional representative in Cairo, Ruben Marial Benjamin, spoke with SPIEGEL about the approaching ballot.

SPIEGEL: On Jan. 9, 2011, Southern Sudan will vote on secession from the republic of Sudan. Are you certain that the majority will vote for secession?

Benjamin: Yes, we are already flying the flag of an independent state on our government buildings. [...]

SPIEGEL: What would be Southern Sudan's state religion?

Benjamin: Around 80 percent of Southern Sudanese are Christians. During the 20-year civil war, the Muslim north tried to convert the believers in indigenous faiths to Islam. But people turned to Christianity. We want to build a secular political system in which state and religion are strictly segregated.

Since no one cares about Africa, George W. Bush's liberation of South Sudan and Liberia are largely ignored.

Posted by Orrin Judd at December 21, 2010 6:39 AM