the united nations security council met on 13 july 2011 to formally discuss membership for the republic of south sudan. the next day, 14 july 2011, south sudan became a united nations member state. south sudan has also applied to join the commonwealth of nations, the east african community, the intergovernmental authority on development, the international monetary fund, and the world bank. the country was declared eligible to apply for membership in the arab league as well.