The coat of arms of the

Republic of South Sudan A republic () is a " state in which power rests with the people or their representatives; specifically a state without a monarchy" and also a "government, or system of government, of such a state." Previously, especially in the 17th and 18th ...

was adopted in July 2011 following independence from the

Republic of Sudan Sudan ( or ; ar, السودان, as-Sūdān, officially the Republic of the Sudan ( ar, جمهورية السودان, link=no, Jumhūriyyat as-Sūdān), is a country in Northeast Africa. It shares borders with the Central African Republic ...

. Prior to independence, South Sudan was an autonomous region of Sudan. The design of the coat of arms was approved by the cabinet of the autonomous Government of Southern Sudan in April 2011, having previously been endorsed by the Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly in May 2011.

Design

The arms consist of an escutcheon with the tincture or (gold). The supporter is an

African fish eagle The African fish eagle (''Haliaeetus vocifer'') or the African sea eagle, is a large species of eagle found throughout sub-Saharan Africa wherever large bodies of open water with an abundant food supply occur. It is the national bird of Malawi, Na ...

holding a crossed spear and spade, symbolizing the people's resolve to protect the sovereignty of their republic and work hard to feed it, described in some press accounts as a shield and two spears. The eagle is depicted as looking towards its right shoulder with wings outstretched, and it holds in its claws a scroll bearing the name of the state. The eagle signifies strength, resilience, vision, and majesty.

History

Southern Sudan Autonomous Region (2005–2011)

The Southern Sudan Autonomous Region, that existed between 2005 and 2011, used an emblem consisting of the coat of arms of Sudan surrounded by the legends "GOVERNMENT OF SOUTHERN SUDAN" and "GOSS". The arms of Sudan depict a

secretarybird The secretarybird or secretary bird (''Sagittarius serpentarius'') is a large, mostly terrestrial bird of prey. Endemic to Africa, it is usually found in the open grasslands and savanna of the sub-Saharan region. John Frederick Miller describe ...

bearing a traditional shield. Two scrolls are placed on the arms; the upper one displays the

national motto This article lists state and national mottos for the world's nations. The mottos for some states lacking general international recognition, extinct states, non-sovereign nations, regions, and territories are listed, but their names are not bold ...

, 'OUR VICTORY', and the lower one displays the title of the state, 'REPUBLIC OF THE SUDAN' in the English language. Another emblem was also used by some agencies and offices of the autonomous Government of Southern Sudan. This coat of arms was similar to the arms of neighbouring Commonwealth states

Kenya ) , national_anthem = " Ee Mungu Nguvu Yetu"() , image_map = , map_caption = , image_map2 = , capital = Nairobi , coordinates = , largest_city = Nairobi ...

and

Uganda }), is a landlocked country in East Africa. The country is bordered to the east by Kenya, to the north by South Sudan, to the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, to the south-west by Rwanda, and to the south by Tanzania. The sou ...

. It depicted a traditional African shield with the design of the Flag of Southern Sudan, crossed by lances. The shield was supported by a

shoebill The shoebill (''Balaeniceps rex'') also known as the whalebill, whale-headed stork or shoe-billed stork, is a very large long-legged wading bird. It derives its name from its enormous shoe-shaped bill. It has a somewhat stork-like overall form ...

and a

rhinoceros A rhinoceros (; ; ), commonly abbreviated to rhino, is a member of any of the five extant species (or numerous extinct species) of odd-toed ungulates in the family Rhinocerotidae. (It can also refer to a member of any of the extinct species ...

. The compartment depicted local crops and the waters of the

River Nile The Nile, , Bohairic , lg, Kiira , Nobiin: Áman Dawū is a major north-flowing river in northeastern Africa. It flows into the Mediterranean Sea. The Nile is the longest river in Africa and has historically been considered the longest rive ...

with a scroll bearing the motto "JUSTICE, EQUALITY, DIGNITY". File:Seal of the Government of Southern Sudan (2005-2011).svg, Emblem of Southern Sudan (2005–2011) File:Coat of arms of Southern Sudan (2005 proposal).svg, Unofficial coat of arms (2005–2011)

Sub-national emblems

Some of the states and areas of South Sudan have adopted seals or emblems for official purposes.

States

Emblem of Central Equatoria.png, Central Equatoria Emblem of Eastern Equatoria.jpg,

Eastern Equatoria Eastern Equatoria is a state in South Sudan. It has an area of 73,472 km². The capital is Torit. On October 1, 1972, the state was divided into Imatong and Namorunyang states and was re-established by a peace agreement signed on 22 Febr ...

Emblem of Jonglei State.png,

Jonglei State Jonglei State is a state of South Sudan with Bor as its centre of government and the biggest city. Jonglei state comprises nine counties: Bor, Akobo, Ayod, Uror, Duk, Nyirol, Pigi, Twic East, and Fangak. Jonglei State is the largest st ...

Emblem of Lakes State.png, Lakes State Emblem of Northern Bahr el Ghazal.png,

Northern Bahr el Ghazal Northern Bahr el Ghazal is a state in South Sudan. It has an area of 30,543 km² and is part of the Bahr el Ghazal region. It borders East Darfur in Sudan to the north, Western Bahr el Ghazal to the west and south, and Warrap and the ...

Emblem of Warrap State.png,

Warrap State Warrap (also spelled Warab), is a state in South Sudan located in the Bahr el Ghazal region. It has an area of 31,027 km². Overview Warrap State comprises an area of 31,027 km². Kuajok is the capital of Warrap state. All states in South Sudan ...

Emblem of Western Bahr el Ghazal.png,

Western Bahr el Ghazal Western Bahr el Ghazal is a state in South Sudan. It has an area of and is the least populous state in South Sudan, according to the controversial Sudanese census conducted in 2008. It is part of the Bahr el Ghazal region. Its capital is Wau. ...

Emblem of Western Equatoria.png, Western Equatoria Emblem of Unity State.png,

Unity State Unity State, also known as Western Upper Nile, is a state in South Sudan. Unity state is in the Greater Upper Nile region. Unity is inhabited predominantly by two ethnic groups: the Nuer majority, and the Dinka minority. In 2015, a president ...

Emblem of Upper Nile State.png,

Upper Nile State Upper Nile is a state in South Sudan. The White Nile flowes through the state, giving it its name. The state also shares a similar name with the region of Greater Upper Nile, of which it was part along with the states of Unity and Jonglei. It ...

Administrative areas

Emblem of the Abyei Area.png, Abyei Area Greater Pibor Administrative Area Emblem.png, Greater Pibor Administrative Area Emblem of Ruweng.png, Ruweng Administrative Area

Municipalities

Juba City Council logo.png,

Juba Juba () is the capital and largest city of South Sudan. The city is situated on the White Nile and also serves as the capital of the Central Equatoria State. It is the world's newest capital city to be elevated as such, and had a population ...

References

External links

* {{Coat of arms of Africa Sudan National symbols of South Sudan

South Sudan South Sudan (; din, Paguot Thudän), officially the Republic of South Sudan ( din, Paankɔc Cuëny Thudän), is a landlocked country in East Africa. It is bordered by Ethiopia, Sudan, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the ...