As Sudan readies for the new year, it will not be the only thing the largest African country of more than 40 million people will be celebrating over the next few days.
January 1 marks the official independence day of Sudan when the nation first raised its official flag in 1956.
But the celebrations this year are being approached with mixed feelings.
Sudan is preparing for a referendum vote, a result of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement that ended a 22-year civil war, which left two million people dead and many others displaced.
The results of the vote could see the country split in two, which many believe is a likely outcome, leading to the creation of the world's newest country.
Upon my arrival in Khartoum, I not only noticed the numerous posters welcoming the new year, but also many about the importance of a unified Sudan, and the colourful flags displayed in most places.
One government poster read: "Our strength is in our unity
![[QODLink]](http://english.aljazeera.net/mritems/Images/2012/5/22/201252212352677734_16.jpg "Click here for our coverage")
