#11. The Republic of Sudan

Victory is Ours! Have you ever met a people, or are you one that would rather go for their goal even if it will cost their own lives? Thinking outside and beyond the "ME" box. This is virtually the general mindset displayed in the national identity of the Republic of Sudan. Reminds me of the USA army slogan, ' Be All You Can Be'. Many times we just want to live the numbered days in these bodies and have a smooth ride, but there is a bigger course. We are responsible for our generation and the future generations, a better society for all and most importantly, allowing others to find their main course too.

Once the largest African country, a fundamental change occurred in the Republic of Sudan in 2011 when it officially split up into two (Check my 8th article on South Sudan). Could geographical size be a critical factor in addition to the diversity of many people when it comes to development and leadership? I am beginning to think so!

Taken a back for a moment, my first flight to a Youth and Women conference in Khartoum, the capital city of Sudan courtesy of Dr. Leila,(the Chair to the Political Parties Council) collided with another one and I could not attend it. I still promise to ever replace it some day with a bigger and better thing. The pull to learn Arabic grows stronger by day whenever I think of the wonder world in the Arabic Sub-Saharan African nations.

Located in northeastern Africa, hte name Sudan derives from the Arabic expression?bilād al-sūdān? meaning, “land of the blacks” as referred by the Arabs who began settling from the sub-saharan Africa. I am still wondering what really black in this case means because out of it, many of us from Africa have suffered discrimination. Until now, I still do not get whose business it should be to choose the color or someone's skin, or what is this black?

After independence in 1956, the country has gone through a series of changes especially in politics, governance and development. The region has been a center for heated mix of interactions between the African cultures and those of beyond the Mediterranean sea. The diverse cultures, interests and mindsets of the people have made it difficult for different regimes to maintain a generally acceptable motion and hence the resultant seasons of civil wars until the country split up and extended to after the divide. Sudan is currently led by the 'Sovereignty Council' while still in their journey of democracy

Nevertheless, probably there is some deeper root cause in the national identity of Sudan that would be contributing to some of the alternating itches and possiblities in the governance of its people and space. Let us see!

History of the Sudan's National Flag

The Khedivate of Egypt that was under British occupation was in area known as Sudan. The flag flown at that time was a red field with crescent moon and three five-pointed white stars (shown below).

In 1885 the Mahdists unsuccessfully tried to break British rule in South Africa and Sudan by holding a revolt. The flag of this revolt was black-red-green horizontal tri-colour that featured a crescent moon and arrow (shown below)

During the Anglo-Egypitian control of Sudan that began in 1899 there was no specific flag adopted. However the Union Jack and the flag of Egypt were flown during this time. The Egyptian flag featured a green field with a white crescent moon inside of which was three five-pointed white stars (both shown below).

In 1956 Sudan became independent and a blue-yellow-green horizontal tri-colour was chosen (shown below)

In 1970 a new flag was chosen to represent independent Sudan, it featured a red-white-black horizontal tricolour with a green hoist triangle at the left side (shown below).

Meanings of the flag parameters

Fortunately the four colors are called the "Pan-Arab" colors and have been associated with Islamic religion and Arabic cultures for centuries.

#Red represents the struggle for independence, sacrifice of the matyrs, and other sacrifices.

#White represents peace, light and optimism.

#Black represents Sudan (Arabic meaning of black).

#Green represents Islam, agriculture and prosperity.

The National Anthem (English translation).

We are the army of God and of our land,

We shall never fail when called to sacrifice.

Whether braving death, hardship or pain,

We give our lives as the price of glory.

May this Our land, Sudan, live long,

Showing all nations the way.

Sons of the Sudan, summoned now to serve,

Shoulder the task of preserving our country.

I partly connect the industrious character of the Sudanese people. The few I have met especially the women in politics have shown great resilience and sacrifice for the sake of their country and the world at large. I have been inspired by such women who risk to be role examples of an equitable society. Indeed, they show the way to the world of girls and boys who look up to them. The young people are also taking it up and racing in boldness towards a better society.

However, amidst all that, it still daunts to fathom the high number of random or planned civil wars that threaten innocent people in the country. When foreigners or neighbours who are of great significance have to be secured and denied the freedom to walk around freely sometimes, even after 'independence' still poses a couple of questions. In appreciation of the great job being done by many, it is okay to accept that many times, it is never all well. Probably, this is what they call "necessary tension" and hard lessons for both current and future generations.

It is true, just like people, countries have diverse histories that greatly inform the continuous decision making. One very important software installed in my heart by default is that, "No matter what happens to any country in the African Continent, a living hope still exists". We have dived into the dust and mud of poverty, inequalities, exclusion, needy leadership and under-development for long, but the goal is to still arise and shine for our societies!

I am so proud of Us in Sudan! We sacrifice for the sake of our society! Victory is Ours!

Dear esteemed reader, thank you for following through! See you in the next country:)

?Girl of the African Soil.

Main refs: flagmakers.co.uk, britannica and You Tube.