African democracy institute Idasa celebrates the birth of Africa's newest state, but with some reservations. Experience on our continent has shown that the raising of a new flag does not always signal the launch of a democratic state. Karin Alexander of Idasa's States in Transition Observatory sounds a note of caution.

Africa's newest state, Southern Sudan, inaugurated on 9 July, faces tremendous challenges in the provision of basic services for its citizens, bringing peace to a nation shattered by violence and reconciling theconflicting factions already appearing on the extra-parliamentary horizon.

In the face of the seemingly insurmountable task presented by development, the challenges of political transition and transformation may be overlooked. One lesson to be shared with South Sudan from our continent's recent history is that the people of this new nation also need to be readied to struggle for democracy in the transition to statehood.

The moment of statehood presents challenges not only to the government, but also to its people, as they are the key to their nation's sustainability.

The inauguration of Africa's 54th state marks a key moment in the continent's history and an auspicious moment for the people of South Sudan. The 9th of July will see the culmination of over 40 years of struggle for an end to marginalisation and persecution, a victory we celebrate with the leadership and citizens of this new state.

But there is much work to be done to simultaneously create a democratic society and its counterpart democratic state. Idasa is painfully aware that a well built state alone is no guarantee that the needs of citizens will be articulated.

A democratic society must be able to build a sustainable state that focuses on inclusion as well as the pressing need for poverty reduction. Southern Sudan will need to work hard, and we from other countries in Africa who want to see this new state succeed, need to work with it.

South Sudan needs support in building a nation-state in which governance rests on the foundation of both elite processes to maintain political settlements and societal efforts to hold those elites to account on a day-to-day basis.

Such a nation-state derives its strength from understanding the difference between citizen participation through the act of voting in regular elections and citizen agency that determines the extent to which any form of political settlement (and particularly a democratic dispensation) is sustainable.

Democracy defined in terms of participation in regular free and fair elections can be applied to many states. But democracy defined in terms of agency is a democratic society created by the ongoing work of all. In other words, it is a state run by its citizens (including those in government) and it is only as strong as its ability and willingness to respect, nurture and draw on the extraordinary abilities and potential of the ordinary people that make up its nation.

In the wake of civil revolt against authoritarianism and military government across both North Africa and the Middle East, South Sudan represents an opportunity for the continent to produce a sustainable democratic nation and state. The imperative to celebrate diversity and foster debate among citizens is a necessary pillar of the state's ability to strike a balance between constructive conflict and governing by consensus.

The leadership of our nations must work with the new state of Southern Sudan to seek and support stable and lasting solutions to both the conflict that has plagued North and South Sudan and the challenges of reconciliation and unification that exist within the South.

In keeping with the principles espoused in the African Union Charter on Democracy, Elections and Good Governance, Africa needs to stand by the people of South Sudan as they embark on the twin projects of development and democracy.

Written by Karin Alexander, who heads Idasa's States in Transition Observatory (SITO).