![President Salva Kiir speaking during launch of public consultations on truth, reconciliation and healing at Freedom Hall in Juba on Tuesday, April 5, 2022. [Photo by presidency]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/24CDF4C5-024F-42AC-BBD1-DBF65BA9FECC.jpeg?resize=868%2C402&ssl=1)
In the address broadcasted live on the state television SSBC, Kiir said Monday will be a public holiday because the country’s independence anniversary falls on Sunday which is always a day off in the country.
“Given that this holiday has fallen on a Sunday, I wish to inform all our citizens and international organizations that Monday July 10th, 2023, will be a public holiday. Please take your time to enjoy Monday with your families,” he said.
South Sudan today marks 12 years of independence.
The country gained its independence from Sudan in July 2011 after a long and bloody civil war that ended with the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in 2005.
Despite promises made during the conflict, the citizens have continued to suffer as deadly civil war fought mostly along ethnic lines engulfed the country two years after independence.
Kiir in his independence day address called for permanent “peace and stability” in order to allow return of the millions of citizens displaced by war and for peaceful elections to take place.
“We need stability in order to allow our people to voluntarily return home from refugee and IDP camps, to allow our people reconcile and for the government to be able to hold credible elections,” he said.
“Achieving peace and stability is the only way that will allow us to exit from the cycle of transitional governments and violence once and for all.
“To this effect, I am calling upon you, my fellow citizens to work with the peace partners and my colleagues in government collectively for peace and stability in our country,” he added.
