South Sudan moved on to establish full and formal diplomatic relations with a number of foreign countries and international organizations almost immediately after it gained independence from Sudan on 09/July/2011.

Sudan became the first state in the world to recognize South Sudan on the eve of independence. Four other countries followed suit on the same day, 08/July/2011.

By the end of the day on Independence Day, more than 25 countries, including all five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, had recognized South Sudan as a sovereign state.

In the next six months, the number of recognitions for South Sudan had exceeded 100 countries and organizations.

On 14 July 2011, the United Nations admitted South Sudan as its 193^rd member without a vote or any objections from members.

And on South Sudan was formally admitted as the 54^th member of the African Union at a special session at AU headquarters in Addis Ababa.

This was followed by a ceremony that saw the raising of the South Sudanese flag at AU headquarters. South Sudan also became a member of the AU Commission.