The government has deployed about 5,000 joint security forces in Juba to enhance security ahead of the Papal visit.
This was revealed Wednesday by Maj. Gen. Daniel Justin Buolo, the Spokesman of the national police services in Juba.
“We have organized our forces and they will be deployed along major roads to secure the visit of the Pope,” said Buolo during press conference held at the police headquarter.
Buolo said some of these joint forces will secure Juba International Airport and places of worship.
Maj. Gen. Lul Ruai Koang, the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) spokesperson, said the joint security forces comprise of SSPDF, Police and National Security Services.
“Those that will be on active duty, we have 5,000 and the rest are on standby at their respective places, so the entire organized forces are on high alert for any additional task that might be required,” said Koang.
“We also appeal to members of the public to cooperate with security forces, if they are trying to search your vehicle allow them to do the search,” he added.
Pope Francis, Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, and Moderator General of the Church of Scotland Rt. Rev. Dr. Iain Greenshields are expected to arrive in Juba on Friday after a two days itinerary to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
In July, the papal visit was called off due to a persistent knee ailment that confined Pope Francis to a wheelchair.
The 86-year-old pontiff has made several visits to Africa since becoming Pope in 2013, but this is his first visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan.
On February 3rd, the pontiff with the Archbishop and the Moderator-General will meet and greet the presidency and foreign diplomats.
He will then retire to his Vatican residence while his accompanying delegation will be taken to the Raddison Blu hotel late in the afternoon.
On February 4, the Pope will lead a prayer vigil with Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, and the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland Rev Iain Greenshields.
The Pope will pray at Saint Theresa in Kator, the Archbishop of Canterbury will go to pray at All Saints Cathedral and the Moderator-General will go to the Presbyterian Church in Jebel.
After the morning prayers, they will meet internally displaced persons at Freedom Hall in the afternoon, before moving to Dr. John Garang Mausoleum for public prayers at 6 PM.
This is where tens of thousands of people are expected to gather for a glimpse of the Holy See.
On February 5, in the morning, people will also be assembling at the Mausoleum for a final mass, and after the mass, Pope Francis, together with the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Moderator-General of the Church of Scotland will depart South Sudan.
