The document discusses Southern Sudan's upcoming referendum on January 9th, 2011 where they will vote for either New Sudan as part of a unified state or independence. It outlines the potential impacts of Southern Sudan's secession at the national level including a possible return to war, at the regional level on geopolitics, geo-economics and control of the Nile River, and at the continental level where it could set a precedent for other independence movements. The document provides context by listing other African independence movements and concludes by thanking the reader.