Juba – Sudan (AFP) – South Sudan is preparing a national anthem, a military spokesman said on Thursday, less than six months ahead of a crucial referendum that could lead to the partition of Africa’s largest country.
“We have asked southern Sudanese musicians, writers and artists to help us write the words and the music for a national anthem for the south,” said Malaak Ayuen Ajok, a member of “South Sudan National Anthem” committee.
The group is not officially part of a government office from the semi-autonomous south, but is believed to be sanctioned by senior leadership.
“We are holding a competition to ensure that we create the best anthem possible for the south,” said Ajok, who is also a spokesman for the Sudan People?s Liberation Army (SPLA), a former rebel group that now acts as the south’s army.
South Sudan is still recovering from decades of war with the north during which about two million people were killed in a conflict fuelled by religion, ethnicity, ideology and resources, including oil.
The south is expected in January to vote in a referendum set up under the 2005 peace deal, which promised it the chance to choose independence or to remain in a united Sudan.
Guiding principles issued by the committee said the anthem should focus on seven key topics: “history, land, people, struggle, sacrifices, destiny and flag.”
However, Ajok said that the writing of the anthem should not be taken to mean that officials were backing either outcome.
“Sudan is pregnant with the referendum, but we do not know now whether it will give birth to one child of unity, or two of separation,” said Ajok.
“Just because we are preparing an anthem does not mean there will be separation, but we do have to prepare for that – if it is independence that the people of the south choose.”
The committee’s guiding principles said the song should mention a destiny of “freedom, peace, equality and prosperity,” but should also mention the “heroism of our martyrs,” who died during the long years of civil war.
The mood in the south appears to be for full independence, with people on the streets of Juba welcoming the news.
“It is a good idea, because if we become independent, we can’t then start to think about anthems then,” said trader Kejok Ammum. “I support the idea, but I would like to make sure it is a song about peace,” said fruit seller Elizabeth Ndefu.
The south?s former rebel turned ruling party — the Sudan Peoples? Liberation Movement (SPLM) — is bound by the terms of the 2005 peace deal not to campaign openly for secession. Instead, it must work to ensure that unity is attractive.
Tensions remain high between the mainly Muslim north and the grossly underdeveloped south, most of whose inhabitants are Christian or follow traditional beliefs.
