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WAU - 10 Dec 2013

Wau municipality bans indecent clothes

The authorities of Wau municipality have issued an order banning “niggers'” culture, as well as girls from wearing what they term indecent clothes.

Police have arrested 11 young people suspected of “creating chaos” in residential areas, as the order was effectively implemented, according to a source.

In an interview with Radio Tamazuj on Saturday, the mayor of Wau town, Arkangelo Anyar Anyer stated that those who call themselves “niggers” have been creating  insecurity in the town, using knifes and swords as well as other harmful tools.

“This behaviour totally conflicts with our local traditions and cultures, if not controlled in such a way it could increase rape cases as well as other crimes,” Anyar explained.

Several citizens in the town had criticized the mayor’s order, whereas he persistently downplays critics.

“Girls are not allowed to wear trousers and blouses with open chests” the mayor said. “Whoever violates this order, will serve three months of imprisonment, if caught by the police.”

In South Sudan the term 'niggers' generally does not have the same racial connotations as it does in Western nations, but rather is primarily a cultural identifier referring to youths who may follow Western fashions such as American rappers’ clothing. Often the term is anecdotally associated with criminal activities.

File photo