Celebrations were held on 9 July at the John Garang Mausoleum to mark the first year anniversary of South Sudan’s Independence.

President Salva Kiir and Chief Guest Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni have arrived at the grounds.

Vice President Riek Machar, Speaker of the National Assembly, James Wani Iga, and other government officials are also in attendance.

Other guests include the Chief mediator at the Addis Ababa talks – also former South African President – Thabo Mbeki, the Chairman of the African Union Commission Jean Ping, a delegation from Ethiopia, ambassadors and the head of the UN mission in South Sudan – Hilde Johnson.