South Sudan speaks

As the people of South Sudan await the defining moment in the upcoming Southern Sudan Independence Referendum, we sought the views of an array of South Sudanese celebs in town. They spoke to MATILDA NZIOKI

Emmanuel Jal: Musician

For the last two months or so, the Sudanese international star has been running the campaign ‘We Want Peace’. He has been tweeting under the accounts EmmanualJal and TeamJal, and has released a song and video, on the same on YouTube.com. The London-based musician, who grew up in Kenya after a spell of serving as a child soldier in the then war-torn Southern Sudan has featured international R&B star Alicia Keys, George Clooney, Peter Gabriel and The Elders (Kofi Annan, Jimmy Carter, Sir Richard Branson, Fernando Cardoso) in the video.

Kenyan politician Martha Karua has also pledged her support for the campaign via twitter.

He talked to Pulse in an exclusive interview:

What are your general concerns?

Let’s learn from Bosnia, after their referendum, and a signed a peace agreement, war broke out and the population was not prepared.

The Abyei border dispute, the issue of Darfur and the Nuba mountains have not yet been resolved, and may drag the entire country back to war.
The South Sudanese flag will not be raised until July. This again raises more questions as to what separation actually brings to the people. As a nation, we should continue with the pressure, the calls for peace and adequate information on the social and developmental changes that separation would bring. Really, how safe are we? The North does not want to give away its resources, and 80 per cent of these natural resources are in the South. What next?
What will a win in separating the North and South mean?
First and foremost, South Sudan will have their identity as Africans. At the moment, the Government in the North are forcing the entire country to exercise Sharia law, to push the country as an ‘Arab State’, while there are many different groups of people.

That’s what makes the beauty of Sudan. There are Christians, Muslims who are not Arab, Arabs who are not Muslims, indigenous religions and more than 100 tribes. There are many proud Africans all over Sudan. I am one of them, and I want the freedom to show that.
‘We want peace campaign’ is all about…
Raising awareness on the need for peaceful co-existence, in Sudan, during and after the country’s referendum, and all over the world. The song is an international anthem, putting light in all the dark places, to avoid further damage, carnage and pain.

This generation must take charge in becoming today’s messiahs; it is our responsibility to actively and positively take things forward, for the better.

Are you urging the Sudanese people to vote in a certain direction?
Everyone should vote freely and fairly according to his or her views and conscience. I personally will be voting for separation. Every person I know in Southern Sudan has lost somebody due to war. I have my reasons, so does every other voter. It is their choice.

Manasseh Mathiang: Musician

The 26-year-old is one of the pioneers of South Sudanese music, having worked with Emmanuel Jal and Lam Tungwar on the album Gua in turn of the millennium.

The renowned South Sudanese gospel artiste based in Kenya has been spearheading a campaign named ‘Freedom Walk Door To Door Campaign’ in coordination with the IOM (International Organisation for Migration alongside other Sudanese artistes Nyang J, K Deng, Yezzee Giel, DJ Dee, Thor Chot and Natty P.

Tell us about your campaign?

The campaign, targeting the South Sudanese in various parts of Kenya, is aimed at raising awareness and civic education on the upcoming South Sudanese Referendum.

It kicked off in October and is expected to run up to the end of the South Sudanese voting process on the January 15. It involves projects such as door-to-door civic education, concerts and mock voting exhibitions.

How did the initiative gain momentum?

It started with a song, Second Class Citizens, based on the referendum. The song is a message to my fellow South Sudanese people to vote for separation so that we stop being second-class citizens in our own land.

We are rich but a poor people; for the last 25 years, the government of Sudan has not allocated a single cent to South Sudan in the national budget. So, I’m just urging my people to vote, this is our time to be free.

Are you urging South Sudanese to vote for secession?

As long as we are a united nation, we shall fight. We want to be separate and be peaceful, then do business as neighbouring countries. The only thing we will loose if we separate is the name.

After separation…

We will start afresh new currency, new government. It will be hard, but eventually we will enjoy the fruits of an independent state.

Johnson Lual aka Baby One: Musician

He is also a businessman and a member of Sudan People’s Liberation Army. Baby One, who turns heads in traffic with his metallic black Hummer moved to Kenya in 1990s after military training in Ethiopia alongside his siblings in 1988.

What do you have to say?

I’m glad that Kenya has played a pivotal role in the peace process in Sudan. I just want to tell all Sudanese people living in Kenya to come out and vote for separation. They should look out for the different polling stations like Blue Springs Hotel on Thika Road.

What has been a major bone of contention?

The two oil wells in Abyei are what we have been fighting for all these years, but we will have enough even after separation, as the South sits on 21 resourceful wells.

What does separation mean for South Sudanese?

The separation will mean freedom; it will be a big thing. We will start from scratch as a nation since we get nothing from the north.

Does the vote have a bearing on solution to Darfur crisis?

The country will be better placed to be involved in fighting for the people in Darfur as then, South Sudan will have a voice. However, the win may not change the Darfur situation much as it’s in the west.

Kuonck Deng aka K-Deng: Musician

This 24-year-old rapper and freelance journalist is loved by many a music fans in Kenya, since his stint at the Tusker Project Fame 4 competition. He worked alongside gospel musician Manasseh in a door-to-door campaign for voting during the referendum. Pulse caught up with him:

Do you have any message to the Southern Sudanese people as they head to the referendum this Sunday?

As an artiste, I urge my people to vote peacefully, respectfully, democratically and spiritually.

In what direction will you cast your vote?

I shall vote for separation because I believe that that will liberate the Southern Sudanese people. With their own government, they will start the journey to success in every aspect. This will also allow for free access to our resources. I want it to last that way.