Sudan cancels controversial Kajbar dam project
The Kajbar Dam is located in the Northern State, at the third cataract in the Kajbar area, at 111 km north of Dongola, inhibited by the Mahas Nubian group,
The Nubians in northern Sudan opposed the dam project fearing a new displacement similar to Aswan High Dam, especially since the government did not conduct required feasibility studies for financial compensations and did not propose an appropriate alternative for residential and agricultural lands.
In addition to the loss of the Nubian civilization in the area, especially since the capacity of the reservoir will cover large areas extending to Al-Gouled and Kumi, south of the dam.
Hamdok announced his decision to stop the construction of the hydroelectric project on the River Nile during a visit to the Northern State
“The Prime Minister announced the cancellations of the Dal and Kajbar projects in a speech delivered at the monument to Kajbar martyrs,” reads a statement issued by the cabinet office on Thursday.
The cancellation of the two projects was part of the Juba peace agreement with the northern opposition groups that are members of the Sudanese Revolutionary Front.
The memorial was built to commemorate 4 people killed by the security forces during protests against the Kajbar Dam on June 13, 2007.
Recently, the Public Prosecution launched an investigation into the killing of the four protesters. Also, the graves of three of them have been exhumed for re-autopsy, as medical reports confirmed their death following gunshot injury.
(ST)