By Louis Loku
The Ministry of Culture, Museums, and National Heritage has officially launched the National Flag and National Anthem Campaign, an annual nationwide patriotic initiative.
The program is aimed at encouraging all South Sudanese to proudly display the national flag and sing the national anthem every Independence Day.
The campaign was launched on Tuesday by the Minister of Culture, Museums and National Heritage, Hon. Sarah Nyanath Elijah Yong, alongside the director-general of culture and heritage management, Mr. Makuar Dobuol Puot, during a press conference held at the ministry’s headquarters in Juba.
The initiative calls upon every South Sudanese household, government institution, school, place of worship, business establishment, community, and citizen, both within the country and in the diaspora, to participate in the annual observance by raising the national flag and singing the national anthem as a demonstration of patriotism and national unity.
Speaking during the launch, Minister Yong described the flag and the national anthem as the highest symbols of the sovereignty and independence of the Republic of South Sudan.
She said the two national symbols embody the sacrifices made by the country’s martyrs and liberation heroes, reflect the sovereign will expressed through the referendum on self-determination, and represent the unity, dignity, and aspirations of the South Sudanese people.
“Every time our flag is proudly raised and our national anthem is solemnly sung, we reaffirm our commitment to defend our sovereignty, preserve our hard-earned independence, promote national unity, and build a peaceful and prosperous republic for present and future generations,” Minister Yong said.
She urged citizens to embrace the campaign as a national responsibility that strengthens patriotism and fosters a shared sense of identity among South Sudanese regardless of their backgrounds.
The ministry emphasised that the annual campaign is intended to deepen public appreciation of the country’s national symbols while encouraging citizens to reflect on the sacrifices made during the liberation struggle and recommit themselves to peace, unity, and nation-building.
Director-General of Culture and Heritage Management, Mr. Makuar Dobuol Puot, reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to promoting cultural heritage and patriotic values through public awareness campaigns and community engagement across the country.
The ministry appealed to all South Sudanese at home and abroad to actively participate in the campaign by proudly flying the national flag and singing the national anthem during the country’s Independence Day celebrations as a visible expression of national pride, unity, and respect for the Republic of South Sudan.