South Sudanese security forces occupied the Dr. John Garang mausoleum in Juba since Tuesday in anticipation of protests called by the youth, according to local residents.
The youth are mobilizing through social media platforms demanding the ouster of President Salva Kiir.
The campaigns are spearheaded by two groups calling themselves South Sudanese Youth for Change and the Red Card Movement. Several youth in diaspora and in the country have called for anti-government demonstrations in Juba on May 16.
Several residents of Juba said the square is closed by military forces.
“The mausoleum has been blocked by national security forces. Residents of Juba are in panic over the presence of many security forces in the streets of Juba,” a local resident told Radio Tamazuj.
The government has confirmed that security forces were deployed in the capital to maintain security and order.
However, Interior Minister Michael Chiangjiek denied reports that the deployment of military forces in the streets of Juba and around the memorial mausoleum is to stop planned anti-government protests.
“We are just working on normal security measures. The deployment of security around the mausoleum is not because of the planned protests,” Chiangjiek told Radio Tamazuj.
“We want to assure the public that Juba is secure. The deployment of troops is normal and we always do it,” he added.
The minister of information Michael Makuei on Tuesday warned the youth against the planned protests, saying if they take to the street they should be ready for the consequences.
Meanwhile Anthony Lino Makana, speaker of the national legislative assembly, urged the youth to stop their plan to stage anti-government protests, saying the government was ready to implement the revitalized peace deal.
Salva Kiir became the first president of South Sudan in 2011. Prior to South Sudan independence, he was president of the semi-autonomous government of southern Sudan, as well as first vice president of Sudan, from 2005 to 2011.
Kiir is expected to run for another term in office in 2021.
In September 2018, Kiir and several opposition leaders, including main opposition leader Riek Machar signed a peace deal to end the conflict. The deal provides for a new unity government before elections three years later.