8 Feb 2012

Suggestions for Independent South Sudan

Below are a few suggestions. Brainstorm it. Let's listen to your thoughts, but try to justify your sugestions.

1. Name:
a) Country: South Sudan - People: South Sudanese - Justification: Sudan means land of the blacks and no other part of Sudan deserves this historical name better than South Sudan
b) Country: Junub - People: Junubiin. Justification: although this is Arabic for South and Southerners, most Southerners have come to know their part of Sudan as "Junub" and themselves as "Junubiin"

2. The Flag:
a) The current SPLM designed flag but with ten stars ********** added to represent the ten states of South Sudan. Justification: The SPLM flag, like SPLA, has become well known to many South Sudanese over the years and changing it into something else might cause ceaseless arguments.

3. National Anthem:
The new country will need a national anthem. The next government after elections should invite composers to come up with a popular anthem for the new country. The criteria should include recognition of all our ethnic communities: "A peaceful and prosperous nation united in celebration of values of its diversity" - which by the way happens to be just about the same with the Gurtong's Mission Statement.
 

Posted in: Opinions
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16/03/2010, 5:25 PM
 - Posted by Mary Yak
Dear Mr Jacob Akol
Thanks for these thought provoking questions you asked at this crucial time in the making of our history.
Truly, we should give our nation a name that we accept and are proud of. We all know what the word "Sudan" means; and we identify with it better than northerners as we're black and of African origins in the south of Sudan. If northerners were to religuish the name "Sudan" and think of another name for their country, we'd gladly take up the name "Sudan" for our new nation. As it is, I think the name "South Sudan" will be appropriate for us.
I don't like the name "Junub" 'cause it carries a negative connotation.The word is associated with backwardness and being primitive. The young generation may not understand this. But the older generation, and I am speaking from experience, knows what I am talking about. At the time, when referring to a northerner, it was a "Sudani" or "waled el baled". But a southerner was referred to as a "Junubi", making one to question so many things without getting answers!
In regards to the flag, SPLM flag is a political party emblem. Moerover, there're other SPLM pol. party branches in the north, west and east including centre, using the same flag. Even if the flag is modified as suggested by Jacob, still it 'll be awkward for a nation to adopt a flag largely similar to flags being used beyond its borders by a political party. We must also take into consideration that the South Sudan nation has several pol. parties with different emblems. As such, our new nation, the South Sudan, should've a new flag designed, different from all the other pol. parties flags/emblems including SPLM. If the problem is about arguement, so be it. If it is done for the interest of our nation, then it 'll be worth it and certainly, a conclusion to the satisfaction of all will be arrived at.
Mary Awaj (Sudan)
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