The United States says it is sending a delegation of high-level officials to ceremonies marking the independence of South Sudan, including former secretary of state Colin Powell.

The White House announced Wednesday that the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Susan Rice, will lead the delegation.

Those also attending the ceremonies include the U.S. envoy to Sudan, Princeton Lyman; the top U.S. diplomat for African affairs, Johnnie Carson; and the head of the U.S. Africa Command, General Carter Ham.

The new nation, which will be known as the Republic of South Sudan, is set to mark its independence on Saturday.

North and south Sudan fought a 21-year civil war that ended with a 2005 peace deal. South Sudan voted to split from the north in a referendum in January.

Powell ran the U.S. State Department under former president George W. Bush and played a role in helping to broker the 2005 peace accord.

Also taking part in the independence ceremonies are the ranking member of the the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health and Human Rights, Donald Payne; Deputy National Security Advisor Brooke Anderson; Deputy Administrator of USAID Donald Steinberg; the U.S. Consul General in Juba, Barrie Walkley; and the president of Catholic Relief Services, Ken Hackett.