The Atlantic Wire - Southern Sudanese today begin voting in a week-long referendum on whether they should split from the ethnically and religious distinct North, which has long used violence to dominate the South. Most analysts predict that, miraculously, the vote will proceed peacefully and end with Sudan splitting into two distinct countries. But what happens after that? Here is what Sudan-watchers -- including President Obama -- have to say about the the implications of this vote and of Sudan's divide.

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