South Sudanese celebrate the birth of their nation

Southern Sudanese wept openly as they celebrated their independence Saturday, cheering, whistling and dancing in the streets in a fitting ceremony for the birth of a new nation.

"We're finally free," some chanted, flags draped around their shoulders.

A man on his knees kissing the ground.

The red flag, white and green of the nation born, prepared at half-mast yesterday, was raised on the capital of Juba.

Among the world leaders witness this historic day: the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and South African President Jacob Zuma.

"This release, a new chapter," said Abuk Makuac, who escaped to the United States in 1984 and returned home to attend the Independence Day activities.

"No more war. We were born in war, grew up in the war and married in the war."

The sovereignty of Southern Sudan officially broke the greatest nation in Africa in two, the result of a referendum in January overwhelmingly approved by voters.

The referendum was part of a 2005 peace agreement that ended decades of civil war between a government dominated by Arab Muslims in the north against the black Christians and animists in the south. The war has killed about 2 million people.

In the midst of the celebrations of independence, some residents paid tribute to their loved ones killed during the war.

"It's very emotional. I'm excited, but I also think all the people who died for that to happen, "said Victoria Bol, who lost dozens of family members.

Salva Kiir Mayardit, a former rebel leader who was the first president of South Sudan, said his people can not forget the years of blood, but must now forgive and move on. He promised his people would never be marginalized.