Hip hop artist, peace activist, and former Sudanese child soldier Emmanuel Jal has written a simple and joyful song calling for peace — in particular in his home country where a referendum on independence for Southern Sudan looms. Oil-rich Southern Sudan will vote on its independence from the rest of Sudan on January 9, but that does not guarantee an end to trouble in the country. Many fear that it could reignite the conflict there and even lead to a second genocide.

Jal’s  single “We Want Peace” and the music video for it burst with life, energy, and Jal’s undeniable talents as an emcee. (Note appearances by Alicia Keys, Kofi Annan, and others.) But its purpose is to call attention to a critical moment that is not a simple as the song.

Jal’s statement on the We Want Peace website:

My country is on the brink of war. On January 9, Southern Sudan will vote for its independence to be free from a government who has slaughtered and displaced our people for 43 years. The country is currently led by a regime bent on controlling oil resources.  80% of Sudan’s oil fields are in the south, making it a prime battleground to displace our indigenous people.  Both north and south are preparing for war, leaving innocent people at grave risk of major human rights violations. The last civil war between North and South claimed over 2 million lives, including my own mother. I have firsthand experience as a war child, forced to fight in the conflict and torn from my family. The time to prevent another genocide is now. I have a written a new single called “We Want Peace”.  It is a call for peace, protection and justice for all in my land, and also for an end to conflicts affecting innocent people all around the world.  Thank you for joining me in my struggle.

You can help avert a genocide in Sudan by taking small steps that will make a big difference. By lobbying your government MPs and representatives, educating friends and family, planning a local event, or generating coverage in the media about the crisis, and spreading Emmanuel’s message by downloading “We Want Peace”,  you will help build the political power needed to prevent this conflict with diplomacy and not bloodshed.  Be a voice for the voiceless.

Time is growing very short now, but there are still a few days left to ensure that the eyes of the world are on Sudan. With the hopeful tone of the single, Jal is pointing to this as an opportunity with the potential to bring about positive change. And he is not alone either. In addition to the elder statesmen, musicians, and others like George Clooney supporting him directly, Sudan365 has been pursuing a similar music project on a grand scale with artists including Angelique Kidjo and Coldplay.

The struggle in Sudan is not an easy story to follow, but Sudan365′s website has a wealth of information on the subject in three languages and now might be a good time to catch up on it.

Photo: we-want-peace.com/Kemi Davies