Country Formation

Expect more of this, and from more developed parts of the world (whether Christined by the UN or not).

UNITED NATIONS — The United Nations has a new member — South Sudan.

The African nation, which gained independence Saturday, became the U.N.’s 193rd member by acclamation Thursday.

General Assembly President Joseph Deiss banged a gavel signifying South Sudan’s admission to the world body as diplomats burst into applause.

The country’s independence was the climax of a 2005 peace agreement that ended decades of civil war with the Arab-dominated north and called for a referendum in which South Sudan voted overwhelmingly for secession.