Christians in south Sudan are awaiting results of an independence vote to decide whether they will secede from the Muslim north.

More than 2 million people in southern Sudan cast their ballots this week for the "freedom vote."

Results could take weeks to tally, but most are expecting the south to split from the north.

The north has long resisted southern separatist demands.

The Muslim government brutally targeted Christians in the south during a bloody 23-year civil war, leaving some 2 million people dead.

That fight ended in 2005, and a peace deal led to this week's vote.

For more on the freedom vote and how it will impact Christians in southern Sudan, CBN News spoke with Clifton Clarke, Regent University associate professor of global missions. Click play for his comments.