Editing Secession (section)

===South Sudan===
A [[2011 South Sudanese independence referendum|referendum took place in Southern Sudan]] from 9{{spaces}}to 15 January 2011, on whether the region should remain a part of Sudan or become independent. The referendum was one of the consequences of the [[Comprehensive Peace Agreement|2005 Naivasha Agreement]] between the [[Government of Sudan|Khartoum central government]] and the [[South Sudan People's Defence Forces|Sudan People's Liberation Army/Movement]] (SPLA/M).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Referendum in Southern Sudan. UNMIS - United Nations Mission in the Sudan |url=https://peacekeeping.un.org/sites/default/files/past/unmis/referendum.shtml |access-date=2024-02-14 |website=peacekeeping.un.org}}</ref>

On 7 February 2011, the referendum commission published the final results, with 98.83% voting in favour of independence. While the ballots were suspended in 10 of the 79 counties for exceeding 100% of the voter turnout, the number of votes was still well over the requirement of 60% turnout, and the majority vote for secession is not in question.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2011-01-30 |title=South Sudan referendum: 99% vote for independence |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-12317927 |access-date=2024-02-14 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>

A simultaneous referendum was supposed to be held in Abyei on whether to join Southern Sudan but it has been postponed because of conflict over demarcation and residency rights. In October 2013, a symbolic referendum was held in which 99.9% of voters in Abyei voted to join Southern Sudan. However, this resolution was non-binding.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gridneff |first=Ilya |date=October 31, 2013 |title=Thousands in contested Abyei vote to join South Sudan, risking tensions |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSBRE99U108/ |access-date=February 14, 2024 |website=Reuters}}</ref> As of February 2024, an official referendum still has not taken place. Abyei currently holds "special administrative status".<ref>{{Cite journal |date=2011 |title=Abyei Arbitration (Government of Sudan/Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army) |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/cbo9780511675812.004 |journal=International Law Reports |volume=144 |pages=348–699 |doi=10.1017/cbo9780511675812.004 |s2cid=232254340 |issn=0309-0671}}</ref>

The predetermined date for the creation of an independent state was 9{{spaces}}July 2011.