Britain recognises independent South Sudan

Britain on Saturday recognised South Sudan after the African country declared its independence, Prime Minister David Cameron said. "Today the Republic of South Sudan becomes independent, and the world’s newest country," said Cameron in a statement. "This is an historic day, for South Sudan and the whole of Africa." Britain was proud to be "among the first to recognise South Sudanese independence," he said. "We welcome South Sudan into the community of nations and look forward to building ever stronger links between the UK and South Sudan in the months and years ahead." South Sudan's parliament speaker earlier proclaimed the fledgling state's independence, marking its birth as the world's newest nation and splitting Africa's largest country in two. "We, the democratically elected representatives of the people, based on the will of the people of South Sudan, and as confirmed by the outcome of the referendum of self-determination, hereby declare South Sudan to be an independent and sovereign nation," James Wani Igga announced.