The Republic of South Sudan becomes the world's newest country on Saturday. Following is a look at the 28-year process leading to South Sudan's independence.

January, 1983 – Sudan's second civil war breaks out between the Khartoum government and the southern rebel group, the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM), led by John Garang.

Islamic Law Imposed

September, 1983 – Sudan's President Jaafar Nimeiri announces traditional Islamic punishments under Sharia law for crimes such as theft and alcohol possession.

April 6, 1985 – While outside the country, Nimeiri is overthrown by a popular uprising in Khartoum. General Suwar al-Dahab leads the transitional government, which suspends the 1983 constitution and disbands Nimeiri's Sudan Socialist Union.

April, 1986 – Elections bring a civilian government to power.

North-South Conflict Intensifies

June 30, 1989 -General Omar al-Bashir leads a military coup against Prime Minister Sadiq al-Mahdi. The North-South conflict intensifies.

1993 – Bashir is appointed president of Sudan, to head a nominally civilian government with a national assembly and political parties.

May, 1999 – Nimeiri returns to Sudan at Bashir's invitation.

Oil Exports

August, 1999 – Sudan starts oil exports via a pipeline from Bentiu to Port Sudan.

December, 2000 – Bashir is re-elected to five-year term in presidential elections boycotted by main opposition parties.

February, 2001 – Memo of understanding between the Popular National Congress of Islamist leader Hassan Al-Turabi and the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA), armed wing of the SPLM. Al-Turabi is arrested the next day.

Peace at Hand

July 20, 2002 – The national government and SPLM/A reach a landmark agreement — known as the Machakos Protocol — on the role of state and religion and the right of the south to seek self-determination.

May 26, 2004 – The government and southern rebels sign a protocol on sharing power in the dispute Abyei region.

November 19, 2004 – The government and southern rebels sign a declaration committing the two sides to conclude a final comprehensive peace agreement by December 31, 2004.

CPA Outlines Referendum on Independence

January 9, 2005 -The North and South sign a U.S.-brokered cease-fire accord for power and revenue-sharing, called the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. The accord outlines a referendum after six years, giving southern Sudanese the choice of continuing the agreement or seceding.

August 1, 2005 — A plane crash kills Garang. Salva Kiir succeeds him. Garang's death sparks deadly clashes in Khartoum between southern Sudanese and northern Arabs.

September, 2005 – A power-sharing government is formed in Khartoum.

October, 2005 – A rebel-dominated autonomous government is formed in the south under January's peace deal.

Population is Counted

April, 2008 – After repeated delays, Sudan holds its first census since 1993. The count is seen as vital towards holding democratic elections under the 2005 peace deal. The SPLM disputes the results, saying southerners are undercounted and numbers for some northern groups seen as sympathetic to the National Congress Party are overstated.

May, 2008 – Intense north-south fighting breaks out in disputed Abyei.

June 8, 2008 – President Bashir and southern leader Kiir sign the Abyei Roadmap Agreement for international arbitration to resolve the dispute.

ICC Arrest Warrant for Bashir

February 11, 2009 – The International Criminal Court issues an arrest warrant for Bashir on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in the western Darfur region — a separate conflict than the north-south war. In March, Khartoum rejects the warrant.

December 29, 2009 – Sudan passes a law authorizing the southern independence referendum in 2011.

April 11, 2010 – Elections are held for governments and parliaments of Sudan, southern Sudan and all states. On May 21, Kiir becomes the south's first elected president.

July 12, 2010 – ICC issues a second arrest warrant for Bashir on genocide charges for Darfur conflict.

Historic Referendum

January 9, 2011 – Southern Sudanese choose secession in a referendum. The Abyei referendum is postponed indefinitely.

May 21, 2011 – Northern Sudanese troops seize the Abyei region.

May 31, 2011 – North and south representatives agree to establish a Common Border Zone between North and South Sudan.

July 5, 2011 – The government announces independence celebration plans.

Independence

July 9, 2011 – Republic of South Sudan to become world's newest country.