Wau town prepares for Independence Day celebrations

File photo: A South Sudanese woman wears the national flag and carries a mock gun as she attends an Independence Day ceremony in Juba, July 9, 2015. (VOA)

The mayor of Wau town mayor Mel Aleu on Tuesday called on citizens to begin a general cleaning exercise in preparation for the country’s independence on the 9 July anniversary this year.

The mayor of Wau town mayor Mel Aleu on Tuesday called on citizens to begin a general cleaning exercise in preparation for the country's independence on the 9 July anniversary this year.

In June, South Sudan's government cancelled a plan to hold a celebration of the country's independence on the 9 July anniversary due to economic crisis.

However, Mayor Aleu told Radio Tamazuj that the state will fund the celebrations.

He asked all business owners to paint their shops in white and the doors in blue. He added that all the shops must have the South Sudan flag on the 9 July anniversary.

The local official warned that whoever fails to comply with the instructions will be fined 1,500 SSP.