The Leader of the Minority in the National Legislative Assembly Onyoti Adigo says it is unfortunate that opposition political party leaders were not given a formal place in the protocol at the 9 July celebrations, claiming they were not even invited.

In an interview at John Garang Mausoleum during independence celebrations he said, “Peace should be inclusive. All people of South Sudan should be involved in peace not particular group of people or political party.”

He pointed out that Pagan Amum was given a place in the protocol saying “this is very unfortunate because this occasion is supposed to be for the people of South Sudan not for a political party like SPLM.”

He argued that the independence day was for all South Sudanese and not only for SPLM. “You see thousands of people here who are not all SPLM.”

Onyoti has repeatetdly criticized the government for spending a lot of money on the independence day celebrations. He says the money could have been used for developmental and humanitarian activities.