South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Simon Deng
A Bari Community Centre situated in the heart of Juba town in the capital has opened its doors to the public but warned against politicking among the people accessing the center.
The center, closed in March 2023 is used by groups and community members for cultural or related gatherings.
The Bari Community Centre is a three-storied building situated in Juba town which houses a conference hall, an open space for hosting entertainment, meetings, weddings and other social events.
It was closed after the government accused people of using the center to discuss politics.
“The Bari community center is now open,” Stephen Pitia, the Chairperson of the Bari Community said during the reopening yesterday.
“We have opened a new page where we have to work hands in gloves with our local government, our senior politicians including the vice president and the governor of Central Equatoria State,” Pitia said.
“I am inviting our friends in the communities that the center is now open. We can always come and we sit and we talk and when we talk let people not take that we are plotting against anybody.”
The closure of the Bari Community Centre was directed by Charles Joseph Wani, the former Commissioner of Juba County after its members allegedly caused disorder during memorial prayers for the late Alfred Keri.
Emmanuel Tete Ezbon, the Commissioner of Juba County who graced the reopening of the Bari Community Center urged the Bari community to remain united as the center reopen to entertain social events.
According to Pitia, the center will be used for unity and development of the communities.
“When anyone sees us meeting it does not mean we are plotting against anybody,” he said.
“We will be talking about our development issues to make improvements.”
