The flag and the national anthem remain the first anniversary of Sudan's independence after the revolution

Ahmed Fadl-Khartoum

Sudanese celebrated their national songs on the eve of the 64th anniversary of the country's independence from British rule, and they celebrate New Year's Day in public squares and theaters, and the Sudanese flag shaded the first celebration of independence after the revolution.

In Freedom Square, south of central Khartoum, thousands chanted the Sudanese flag with pride as the first minutes of the New Year entered.

Artists who celebrated New Year's concerts sang national songs, and celebrities in a number of theaters and halls chanted the songs and slogans of the December 2018 revolution, which overthrew 30 years of Omar al-Bashir's rule.

Celebration of the teachers - old and new - overshadowed the appearances of this year’s celebrations, carried by hands or engraved on the cheeks of young men and women.

Between two flags
The old flag, in blue, yellow and green colors, is a symbol of independence, after it was raised by Ismail Al-Azhari, the first Sudanese president elected after independence on January 1, 1956.

However, in May 1970 the former president, Field Marshal Jafar Nimeiri, adopted the current flag in its red, black, green and white colors, in line with the general trend of Arab nationalism symbols.

Since the Independence Day last year, which came 12 days after the outbreak of the protests on December 19, 2018, Sudanese have increasingly celebrated Independence Day, which was previously overshadowed by New Year's celebration.

The Sudanese commemorated the first anniversary of their revolution on December 19 in the city of Atbara, which sparked protests that ended Bashir's rule.

This date coincides with the day of the proclamation of independence from within Parliament on December 19, 1955, 12 days before the formal proclamation of independence of Sudan.

Celebration of the palace
On the eve of the independence anniversary, the transitional government organized an official celebration in the presidential palace attended by the President of the Sovereign Council, Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, with the participation of members of the Sovereign and Councils of Ministers, the leaders of the Freedom and Change Forces and members of the diplomatic corps.

Al-Burhan pointed out that "the anniversary of independence coincided with the first anniversary of the glorious and peaceful popular revolution that led to changing the dowry of martyrs with their blood, to transfer Sudan to a stable civil democratic era that paves the way for establishing the modern state on the foundations of freedom, peace and justice."

Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdouk merely congratulated the Sudanese via a video clip posted on his Twitter and Facebook accounts.

Hamdouk said: "Glory and eternity to the martyrs of the Sudanese revolution. The first anniversary of the great revolution passes on us, so we can work together to achieve the great slogan of the revolution: freedom, peace and justice. Happy New Year."

Party celebrations
At the home of the flag of independence, Leader Ismail Al-Azhari in Omdurman, the Democratic Unionist parties that participated in the revolution organized a celebration of independence today, Wednesday, amid remarkable momentum this year.

The leader of the Forces for Freedom and Change greeted the Sudanese President of the Sudanese Congress Party, Omar al-Dagheir, for the Sudanese on the occasion of the new calendar year and the anniversary of independence.

In a statement directed to the Sudanese, Al-Dugair expressed his hope to address the awareness and united will of the major challenges that have remained common in the homeland since its independence, in the forefront of which is the cessation of bloodshed and the achievement of a just and comprehensive peace.

Tribal violence in the city of El Geneina, the capital of West Darfur state, in the past two days, overshadowed celebrations of independence, and activists on social media platforms demanded an end to the festive atmosphere, grief for the dead.

Republican Guard
For the first time this year, the presidential guard change ceremony in the presidential palace overlooking the Blue Nile in Khartoum is postponed from January 1 to the third day of it.

These ceremonies were always monitored by families on the morning of the first day of the New Year, in conjunction with independence celebrations, but suddenly they were postponed to next Friday.

It is noteworthy that the Republican Guard in Sudan is one of the ancient units in the army that enjoy high discipline and outstanding combat performance.

It was interesting to note the presence of the revolutionary spirit among the youth celebrating the Independence Day and New Year's Day, by chanting the slogans of the revolution.

Freedom Square in Khartoum, shortly after entering the new year, witnessed skirmishes between revelers and policemen who fired a number of tear gas canisters.