When Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Friday said longstanding Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan could only be solved through the participation of Kashmiris in talks, hours later on 9th July huge crowd gathered in Juba to witness the independence ceremony of Republic of South Sudan.

People erupted in loud cheers and ululations as the Sudanese flag was lowered for the last time and the new colours of the Republic of South Sudan were hoisted. It followed with the oath of office taken by Salva Kiir as President and he signed a new interim constitution.