Citizens told to celebrate 10th independence anniversary indoors over COVID-19

JUBA – Due to the coronavirus pandemic restricting the movement of people, South Sudanese are to stay indoors to celebrate its glory and greatness independence day on 9 July, a senior government official said.

This comes two weeks after Presidential Affairs Minister Barnaba Marial Benjamin told Sudans Post in an interview that the country was going to organize independence celebrations this time after six years.

Speaking to reporters in Juba on Wednesday, Deputy Minister of Information Communication Technology and Postal Services, Baba Medan Konyi advised the citizens to remain within the confines of their homes on Independence Day due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“Putting into consideration the situation of COVID-19, the President (Salva Kiir Mayardit) direct the public and citizens of South Sudan to celebrate in their own houses and it will be official national address from the President so everyone will see it on his own TV or on radio,” Medan told reporters in Juba.

Medan said these measures aim at curbing the spread of COVID-19.

“The Great run which will in the same day on 9 of July, we invite all the youth, government institutions, NGOs, and UN to join the running on 9 July in the morning which will start from 5 AM up to 9 AM,” Medan said.