South Sudan begins to vote

Today started the week-long process of voting for South Sudanese on whether or not to secede from the country. Many have already voted, lining up long before the polls opened and because of the long lines, the polls even extended their hours so that they could finish for the day. For now, it looks like the newest country to the international stage will soon emerge. However, the Omar al-Bashir, president of Sudan, has warned that if the South secedes, there will be great instability. Many of the voters interviewed are voting for a new South Sudan, one they hope will be free of the war that has hounded their country for decades. Because of illiteracy, the ballot contains 2 symbols: a single hand for independence and two clasped hands to stay united. So far the voting process has been peaceful and organized. Hopefully this is a picture of what's to come.

-Abbey Smith