In Juba, all bars and clubs have been directed to close their doors in preparation for Pope Francis’s visit.
The governor of Central Equatoria, Emmanuel Adil Anthony, said that no club will be able to operate from January 30. After the government proclaimed Friday, February 3, a public holiday, Juba residents will have a lengthy and somewhat dull weekend for partygoers. State authorities claim that the order is a part of their attempts to keep the city “holy and orderly” throughout the pope’s visit to South Sudan.
The order stated, in part, “The Mayor of Juba City Council is hereby directed to take required actions in coordination with security operatives to rapidly implement this order beginning from Monday, January 30, 2023.” When the restriction will be lifted, though, is not yet known by the Central Equatoria authorities.
Adil instructed the security officers and the mayor of Juba city, Michael Alla-Jabu, to see that the order is carried out, according to the order read on the state-owned television station SSBC on Monday.
In order to make sure that all the venues are ready for usage as Juba gets ready to greet visitors from all over the world, including pilgrims from the 10 states and the three administrative areas, Governor Adil and national government officials have been on a tour.
The appropriate steps have been taken, according to Daniel Justine, a spokesman for the South Sudan Police, to make sure that receiving guests is possible. In his Monday address to the security personnel at Tiger Division in Juba, General Santino Deng Wol stated that the soldiers who had been dispatched will be stationed around the city.
“We need to see our soldiers, SSPDF members, police, or national security officers in every corner of Juba,” Gen. Santino remarked. “The security matter is your job.
Majak Akech, the inspector general of police, instructed security guards on duty to keep an eye out for anyone attempting to disturb public order. The security forces, according to Majak, would keep an eye out for inebriated people and bandits.
This Friday, Pope Francis and his delegation are scheduled to arrive in Juba, the capital of South Sudan.
They will meet with internally displaced people, senior government figures, and members of their Juba-based churches during their stay.
Regional officials are also anticipated to attend the visit, including Ethiopian Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed, Kenyan President William Ruto, and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni.