That geographic and infrastructural reality is old news, but up until very recently, the conversation around the referendum focused on the possibility that independence could bring a new class of investors into the south, namely major oil and construction companies who have been cut out by the U.S. sanctions on Khartoum.

FORBES: Sudan: Define what you mean by independence?

That, coupled with high intelligence and a fierce independence of spirit, has put her in a class of her own.

ECONOMIST: Modern dance

Independence came, or was won as in Algeria, and the ruling class in the Muslim world made a bid to establish political order and engage with tasks that Smith described.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Center For Security Policy