Army says no entry to Juba after 4:00 PM today

JUBA – South Sudan army has said that no one will be allowed to enter the country’s capital Juba after 4:00 PM Thursday as the world’s youngest country prepares for the 10^th independence anniversary.

Yesterday, the army announced that a joint security force comprising members of the South Sudan People’s Defense Force *(SSPDF), National Security Service (NSS) and the South Sudan National Police Service (SSNPS) will petrol Juba during the independence celebrations.

Major-General Lul Ruai Koang, the SSPDF spokesman said joint security forces will be deployed to strategic locations across the country’s capital Juba after 4:00PM and other security forces won’t be allowed on duty.

“Movements into Juba are going to be restricted so that we make sure that we are in control of the situation,” the senior army officer said, according to the Eye Radio, before urging the public to cooperate with the security forces.

“What we are intending to do is the provision of maximum security so that the people of South Sudan celebrate the tenth anniversary of independence without any problem,” he added.

South Sudan is celebrating its tenth independence anniversary tomorrow, but President Salva Kiir announced yesterday that no independence celebrations will be conducted due to the economic situation.

It remains unclear why the army is restricting entry into the capital. However, recent statements attributed to Juba-based cleric Abraham Chol Kush that Kiir will be replaced on 9^th July have caused fears among the civil population.