This archive report was first published on 23 July 2019.
On July 19, 2019, South Sudan's President Salva Kiir issued a decree banning anyone from singing the national anthem unless he is present, according to Information Minister Michael Makuei.
The decision was made during a cabinet meeting on Friday, July 19, 2019, and is aimed at preventing the abuse of the national tune, written shortly before independence in 2011.
"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.
According to Makuei, the ban applies to all institutions and leaders, except for South Sudan's embassies, which represent the president, and schools where children are taught the anthem.
The minister also announced that military leaders have been banned from addressing the public when in uniform.
