Photography: USAID: South Sudan's Referendum

The Referendum for self-determination in South Sudan was a historic and once in a lifetime opportunity for the people in South Sudan to choose whether to remain a part of the Republic of Sudan, or to separate and form their own nation. The people of South Sudan suffered from war and slavery for over 55 years, and after months of delay and concern that the Referendum would not happen on time, if at all, voter registration finally began on November 15, 2010. On 9 July 2011, the majority chose secession - making South Sudan the 54th African state and newest nation in the world.