South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir has put a ban on singing of the national anthem in his absence, a minister announced on Monday.
During an interview with AFP, Information Minister Michael Makuei said different leaders and institutions were playing the national anthem at whim, which was an abuse of the national tune, normally a national symbol and identity.
“For the information of everybody the national anthem is only meant for the president, in a function only attended by the president, not for everybody,” Makuei said, reported News 24. “We are seeing now even a minister, undersecretary, even governor or state minister, whenever there is a function the national anthem is sung.”
Makuei said the order was passed during a cabinet meeting on Friday. He said no one was allowed to sing the national anthem in Kiir’s absence except for South Sudan’s embassies, which represent the president, and schools where children are taught the anthem.
He informed that military leaders have also been banned from addressing the public while wearing the uniform. However, he did not reveal any detail about what the punishment would be if the orders are not followed.
“These are orders and of course when you disobey the orders of the president then you carry your cross,” Makuei said.
South Sudan got independence in July 2011 after breaking away from upper Sudan following a referendum and Kiir has been president ever since. The country soon descended into civil war in 2013 when Kiir his first vice president Riek Machar of plotting a coup against him.
According to the United Nations, the civil war in South Sudan has left at least 100 civilians dead since a peace deal was signed in September last year.
The South Sudanese President recently agreed to have face-to-face talks with opposition leader Riek Machar, to bring back on track the lagging talks on a government for the civil war-wracked country.
