South Sudan's President Salva Kiir Mayardit pardoned 15 prisoners from across the country during the commemoration of the country's 10th independence anniversary on Friday.

“Fellow citizens, let me first congratulate ourselves for this historic tenth (10th) anniversary of our country. Our country is ten years old today. To mark this important occasion, I am granting full pardon to 15 prisoners who were serving jail terms in various prisons across South Sudan,” Kiir said during his presidential address. 

The prisoners pardoned included seven from Juba Central Prison, one from the reformatory prison in Juba, two from Wau Central Prison, three from Yambio Central Prison, and two from Jonglei Central Prison.

The President further reiterated his government's commitment to bringing lasting peace to the country through dialogue with the holdout parties under the South Sudan Opposition Movement Alliance (SSOMA).

“Already we are engaging hold out groups of South Sudan Opposition Movement Alliance or SSOMA through St. Egidio in Rome. This process is ongoing and we are committed to reaching an agreement with our brothers and sisters SSOMA in order to end instability in our country," he assured.

President Kiir also urged disgruntled youth across the country over unequal employment opportunities within non-governmental organizations in the country to remain calm as the government looks into the matter. 

“To our youth who are advocating for the employment practices within the NGO sector, the national government has heard your concerns and resolved to form a high-level committee under the First Vice President and deputized by one of the vice presidents and other relevant ministers to study and develop a roadmap to permanently resolve the matter. I, therefore, call upon you to exercise calm and restraint in the interest of peace and stability in South Sudan,” he said.

South Sudan gained its independence on July 9, 2011. This is the sixth consecutive year the government has failed to hold large celebrations to mark the day.