By Jacob Onuha Nelson
South Sudan National Youth Union (SSNYU) has cancelled Independence Day celebration at Juba National Stadium due to venue wrangle.
According to the statement seen by this outlet, the Youth Union informed the public about the cancellation of schedule for Independence Day.
“South Sudan National Youth Union (SSNYU) regrets to inform the public that the scheduled Independence Day Celebration, originally planned for 9th July, 2025, at Juba National Stadium, has been cancelled due to an unforeseen collision of events in the same venue,” the statement reads in part.
In an exclusive phone interview, the Youth Union’s Secretary of Information, Communication, and Public Relations, Marial Rong Ayok, confirmed the cancelation.
“Three months ago, we reached out to Juba Stadium management, and we shared with them our intention to celebrate the 14th anniversary. And we made major arrangements. That’s why, from the previous days, three to four days ago, we have been conducting rallies,” Rong said.
The youth union has been creating awareness at various places about the Independence Day celebration.
“And we did a cultural show at Juba Nimra Talata Basketball Stadium. And today, we provided medical equipment, medical medicines, and foodstuff to Al-Saba Children Hospital. We were invited to run up to tomorrow’s event, the 14th anniversary of the Independence Day celebration,” Rong stated.
The youth union realized that John Frog, the prominent musician of South Sudan, had already booked the stadium.
“We learned that John Frog’s concert had already been booked before us. But what they told us is,” Since you have the same passport, why don’t you do the same event? We told them, for us, the entry should have been free,” he said
According to Rong, the Youth Union disagreed over ongoing commercial advertisements that indicate charges for entry.
“If we make this event under the banner of the National Youth Union, they will think that we are commercializing the celebration and extorting from the public,” he stressed.