South Sudan only became an independent state on July 9 2011, after seceding from neighbouring Sudan. It joined the UN less than a week later, followed by the African Union before the end of the month. It is now the ITU’s 193rd member state.
"We are delighted to be able to welcome South Sudan as an ITU member state so soon after attaining full nationhood,” said ITU secretary general Dr Hamadoun Touré. “The government of South Sudan clearly recognises the importance of information and communication technology as an engine of social and economic development. We will work alongside the national authorities to leverage the power of technology, to help lift the country to new levels.”
South Sudan’s accession as an ITU member state means that it gains full access rights to the frequency spectrum and satellite orbit resources managed by ITU, and must now adhere to international regulations governing those resources.
