March 23, 2020(Nyamilepedia) — On Sunday, South Sudan president, Salva Kiir Mayardit, tried to go to church in violation of an order he passed earlier on and ordered his subordinates to enforce it; however, the incident did not go unnoticed.
While president Salva Kiir, who is the head of COVID-19 Task Force and deputized by his First Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar Teny, counts on his law enforcement agencies to hold those who continue to hold church and other social gatherings accountable, the president tried to sneak to church on Sunday to attend one of the masses at Kantor Cathedral but on his way his convoy ran into an accident – a sign that could symbolize more danger to his life if he continues to violate the law.
“The Covid-19 Task Force has directed law agencies to hold accountable those who continue to attend church masses, sports events, and other public gatherings…we are aware that some people went against the order over the weekend.” – read parts of South Sudan Covid-19 Task Force press statement.
According to earlier reports, the accident happened along Tambura Road in the capital Juba and although the president was safe, there was no clear indication that everyone was safe.
“Presidential vehicles in an accident on the way to Kator Church this morning along Tembura road. They were heading to the church for installation of Archbishop,” the source said.
“The President is safe but it is unclear if all inside the cars were safe,” the source added.
Although South Sudan is yet to confirm a case of Coronavirus many South Sudanese, foreign diplomats and church leaders have flown into the capital, Juba, within the last two weeks and most of them were not tested.
Among the suspicious cases that sneaked into the country include four sons of the Chief Justice, Chan Reech Madut, who returned from UK, one of the country that has failed to contain the virus in Europe.
According to journalists and health authorities at the Juba International Airport, the Chief Justice, in company of his four armed bodyguards, violently resisted health authorities and managed to get away with three of his four sons without being tested.
Although such open violations of COVID-19 precaution measures are publicly violated, no measures are being taken against individuals so far.
The president himself, who has been making these orders, continues to hold large public gathering against his own orders.
So far president Salva Kiir has sworn-in a large cabinet at attendance of other invited guests, and leaders continue to shake hands without minding their social distances.
In the neighboring Uganda and Kenya, cases have risen from one case to 9 cases in Uganda and 12 cases in Kenya as of yesterday and statuses of more quarantined individuals are yet to be confirmed.
South Sudan and other countries in the region have closed down their airports to international flights but borders are still opened and people can cross from one country to another.
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