 A 50-year conflict. From 1955 through 2005, North and South Sudan faced civil wars and conflict. In January of 2005, the leaders of North and South Sudan signed a comprehensive peace agreement. This agreement granted Southerners a revised interim constitution and partial autonomy. However, even with a signed peace agreement, social, political and economic conflict continues in South Sudan, gaining independence. In January 2011, 98% of Southerners in Sudan voted to secede from the North. Due to this vote in July 2011, the Republic of South Sudan was formed, the world's youngest country. High poverty rate. South Sudan has a population of about 12 million people. The overwhelming majority of the population, about 80%, resides in rural areas. According to the World Bank's latest estimates, about 82% of South Sudanese people in Joe Poverty, surviving on less than $1.