Southern Sudanese Independence referendum (12 images)

Voting materials are unloaded from a UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) helicopter in Tali Payam, a district inaccessible by road, in Southern Sudan’s Central Equatoria State on January 2, 2011. The independence referendum begins on January 9, 2011. UPI/Tim McKulka/UN

A South Sudanese refugee holds a sign at a rally in Tel Aviv, Israel, to support the Southern Sudan referendum, January 9, 2011. More than a million Southern Sudanese started casting their ballots in the seven day referendum that would split Christian South Sudan from the northern government dominated by Arab Muslims. The referendum is expected to split Africa's largest nation into two, giving birth to the world's newest nation. UPI/Debbie Hill

President Bashir and First Vice President and President of the Government of Southern Sudan Salva Kiir inspect an honour guard at Juba airport, in Juba, Sudan, on January 4, 2011. President Bashir visited Juba five days before the start of the long-awaited Southern Sudan referendum on self-determination. During the visit President Bashir discussed preparations for the plebiscite and other outstanding issues with his counterparts in the Government of Southern Sudan. UPI/Tim McKulka/UN

A South Sudanese refugees boy attends a rally in Tel Aviv, Israel, to support the Southern Sudan referendum, January 9, 2011. More than a million Southern Sudanese started casting their ballots in the seven day referendum that would split Christian South Sudan from the northern government dominated by Arab Muslims. The referendum is expected to split Africa's largest nation into two, giving birth to the world's newest nation. UPI/Debbie Hill