Clooney: independent South has "real shot" in Sudan

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South Sudan’s Identity, In A Song
Posted by Daron Christopher on Jun 23, 2011

Establishing a country requires more than just drawing lines on a map (obviously). As the international community prepares to welcome what will be the newest nation in the world, the citizens of South Sudan are formalizing their own distinct national identity, built upon a pride rooted in the long journey to independence. South Sudan already has its own symbol, the flag flown by the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement. Now the soon-to-be Republic of South Sudan has released its national anthem - fittingly written by young people, who will be so critical to the country’s future. Penned by a group of students and teachers from Juba University, the choice was deemed the winner of a talent show in which dozens of entries were received. Both in the democratic process by which the song was selected and in its upbeat tune, a departure from the more militaristic Sudanese one, the anthem is setting the stage for a proud new national identity.

Oh God,
We praise and glorify you for your grace on South Sudan,
Land of great abundance.
Uphold us united in peace and harmony.
Oh motherland,
We rise, raising flag with the guiding star
And sing songs of freedom with joy
For justice, liberty and prosperity shall for ever more, reign.

Oh great patriots,
Let us stand up in silence and respect
Saluting our martyrs
Whose blood cemented our national foundation.
We vow to protect our nation.
Oh God, bless South Sudan.

UNITED NATIONS, June 28 (UPI) -- The U.N. Security Council approved sending 4,200 Ethiopian troops to Sudan's disputed Abyei region as Sudan prepares to divide into two nations, diplomats said.

Diplomats said the U.N. action Monday was meant to help diffuse strain in the weeks before the southern third of Sudan declares independence July 9, The New York Times reported.

The resolution comes a week after north and south Sudanese leaders signed an accord in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia's capital, to demilitarize the oil-rich Abyei region and allow Ethiopian peacekeepers to monitor the situation. The resolution, drafted by the United States, authorizes troop deployment for a six-month period.

Diplomats told the Times the resolution gives the U.N. Interim Security Force the authority to take "necessary actions," including military force, to protect civilians or in self-defense.


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The United Nations has a 10,400-strong peacekeeping force monitoring implementation of the 2005 north-south agreement, but the Sudanese government informed the UN that it wants UN troops in the north to leave on July 9 when the south becomes independent.

As a result, the UN created a new mission for South Sudan.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said the decision to send in 4,200 Ethiopian peacekeepers is a "critical step" in implementing an agreement by the two sides to withdraw their forces from the Abyei region.

The north's Khartoum-based government and South Sudan's officials last week said they would demilitarize the contested border region near major oil fields.

Sudan welcomed the resolution as a "step forward."
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