The referendum on whether southern Sudan should spilt from Sudan as an independent state seemed doomed after the Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir stated "Despite our commitment to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, we will not accept an alternative to unity” however the referendum has now been held after decades of civil war and Omar al-Bashir has agreed to be bound by its outcome.

Sudan was created in 1956 from north Sudan which is mainly Muslim Arab and southern Sudan, predominately black African Christian. The south were fearful of the north's dominance and its Islamic leaning culture. The initial civil war ended in 1972 on the signing of the Addis Ababa Agreement, however tensions continued.

War flared again in 1983 when President Gaafar Nimeiry decided to modify the agreement, including imposing Islamic law throughout the country, without the consent of the south, which had been operating within Sudan but as a largely autonomous state. The Nairobi Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2005 concluded that the south should have its former autonomy restored with a referendum on future independence to be held in 2011.

The referendum is supposed to finally end war within the country and an estimated 99% of the south voted for independence which was finally achieved on 9th July 2011. Despite his earlier assertions, Omar al-Bashir, who is still wanted by the International Criminal Court to stand trial for war crimes, appears to accept the result. However ongoing tensions are predicted as the result gives the newly emerging independent state control over Sudan's oil reserves, which will require passage through north Sudan to reach export markets.