South Sudan becomes ITU’s 193rd Member State

South Sudan, the world’s newest nation has officially joined the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) as the 193rd Member State.

“The International Telecommunication Union is proud to announce that the world’s newest country, South Sudan, has joined ITU to become the Union’s 193rd Member State, effective from 3 October 2011,” said ITU in a statement copied to ghanabusinessnews.com October 5, 2011.

ITU has already allocated the international dialling code +211 to South Sudan which gained its independence July 9, 2011 following the country’s recognition by the UN General Assembly.

According to ITU, the dialling code became active September 28.

The accession of South Sudan as a Member State, ITU said implies its adhesion to the Radio Regulations, the international treaty which governs the use of radiocommunications among the world’s nations, giving it full access rights to the frequency spectrum and satellite orbit resources managed by ITU.

Commenting, ITU Secretary-General Dr Hamadoun Touré said “We are delighted to be able to welcome South Sudan as an ITU member state so soon after attaining full nationhood. The government of South Sudan clearly recognizes the importance of information and communication technology (ICT) 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 and fulfil the national motto of ‘Justice, Liberty, and Prosperity’.”

By Ekow Quandzie