Calling all poets: Southern Sudan needs a new national anthem ahead of vote on secession
By Maggie Fick, APThursday, August 5, 2010
Calling all poets: South Sudan needs nat’l anthem
JUBA, Sudan — Calling all poets and writers in Southern Sudan: new national anthem needed.
Officials in Southern Sudan issued a call this week for citizens to compose lyrics for a new national anthem.
The government and many citizens here hope an anthem will be needed after a vote in January that could see the south break away from the Khartoum-based northern Sudanese government.
If the south votes for unity, no new anthem is needed. But if secession wins, then the Juba-based government will need a new country name, flag and anthem, said Malaak Ayuen Ajok, member of the Committee for South Sudan National Anthem on Thursday.
The title of the anthem has already been chosen: “Land of Cush,” a biblical reference to the ancient Kingdom of Kush.
