Southern Soudanese petition to stop Jonglei Canal project

Petition by Southern Sudanese to the Government of Southern Sudan.

Dated Sept 25, 2006

To: H.E. 1st. Lt. Gen.Salva Kiir Mayardit,
First Vice President of Sudan, President of the Government of Southern Sudan and Chairman and C-in –C of the SPLM/SPLA
Juba, South Sudan
:

CC:

A. Concerned Officials in the Government of South Sudan
– Minister of Irrigation and Natural Resources, Government of Southern Sudan, Mr. Joseph Dair Joakok.
– Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly, Speaker, Lt. Gen. James Wani Iga.
– SPLM Secretary General, Mr. Pagan Amum Okiech.

B. Home Governors of Jonglei Canal
– Governor of Jonglei State, Mr. Philip Thon Leek
– Governor of Upper Nile State, Mr.Dak Duop Bichiok

C. Governors of immediate States to the Canal region:
– Lakes State Governor, Lt.General Daniel Awet Akot,
– Unity State Governor, Mr. Taban Deng Gai
– Central Equatoria State Governor, Maj.Gen. Clement Wani Konga

D. Honorable South Sudanese Members of all levels of Parliament and Government.

Dear Mr. President,

We would like to draw your attention to the above mentioned subject – the resumption of Jonglei Canal reported in The Juba Post, volume 3 issue 31 August 10 -17.The report stated that your government signed an agreement with Egypt about the resumption of the Jonglei Canal. According to the report, the agreement was signed by your minister of Irrigation and Water Resources representing the government of Southern Sudan and
Egyptian Undersecretary in the Ministry of Irrigation representing the government of Egypt.

Mr. President, with due respect, we ask your office to suspend the alleged agreement and stop the resumption of the Canal until proper research is conducted on its benefits and disadvantages to South Sudan.

We believe the Canal resumption should be stopped because of the following:

– Drastic environmental effects on the ecosystem of the Sudd region.
– Negative effects on the aquatic, wild, domestic plants and animals.
– Negative effects on the life of the people such as displacement.
– Reduction of rainfall due to the fact that the region will dry up after the canal takes water to Egypt and Northern Sudan. This is because the Sudd moisture contributes to the formation of rain in the region.
– South Sudan should get independence first before doing any Nile water project with Egypt so that she can join the East African countries in rejecting the 1929 treaty that unfairly granted Egypt absolute right over the Nile water.

We request your Excellency to consider setting up a committee of Southern Sudanese experts to do the following:

– Make research on the ecological effects the canal can bring on the aquatic, domestic, wild plants and animals.
· Make research on the benefits and disadvantages of the project and compare them so that our people can make an informed decision.
– Study other alternative methods such as the construction of dams. This will benefit South Sudan in hydro electric power, flood control, and irrigation of crops.
– Study possibility of making small canals on the Nile to the farming fields.

Mr. President, we believe you will act quickly in addressing this issue.

Signed by: Chol Kezekiah Kelei
Address: 641 St.Matthew’s Ave
Winnipeg MB, Canada
Telephone: 204 979 – 6555
Email: [email protected]

Endorsed by South Sudanese and Friends living abroad and inside South Sudan.

1.Mr. Mading de Ngor Akec de Kuai, Canada
2. Mr.Deng-athoi Galuak Deng-athoi, USA
3. Mr.Koang Tut Jing, New Zealand
4. Mr. Pal Gideon Gai
5. Mr.Koang Rambang Chol
6. Mr. Peter Puoch Rut
7. Mr. Moses Malek Chow
8. Mr. Stephen Par Kuol
9. Mr. Peter Reat Gatkuoth
10. Mr. H. Wani Rondyang
11. Mr. Tut Jok Bov
12. Mr.Deng Yiech Bachech, Canada
13. Mr. John Matik Paul
14. Mr. David Mai Tang, USA
15. Mr. Dominic Deng Madut
16. Rev.Bill Andress
17. Mr.Chol Kelei Chenkou
18. Mr. Pal Deng Madeing
19. Mr. Jok Gai Anai, Canada
20. Mr.Agei Deng Malek
21. Mr. Abraham Khor Deng
22. Mr.Nhial Tiitmamer de Nhial, Canada [email protected]
23. Mr.Agou Anyieth Kur, Canada
24. Mr.Garang Hezekiah Chol Aguer, Canada
25. Mr. James Adut Agoor, Canada
26. Mr. Francis Chagai Bol, Canada
27. Mr.Anyang Ngong Ayuen, South Sudan
28. Mr. Alphaeus [email protected]
29. Mr. Noblest Nhial Majur, South Sudan [email protected]
30. Mr.Mayen [email protected]
31. Mr.Nhial Wei Ayuen, Kenya- [email protected]
32. Mr.Mercy Garang Mabior [email protected]
33. Ms.Muna Susan, South Sudan
34. Mr.Deng Mark Atem, Canada
35. Mr. Edward Chol Abot
36. Rev.Reuben Mayen Garang
37. Mr. John Barach Arok
38. Mr. John Mayom
39. Mr.Deng Adol Kaang
40. Mr.Machiek mark Atem
41. Mr. David Riak Deng
42. Mr. Daniel Kon Yoor
43. Ms. Akon Maker
44. Ms.Achol Maker
45. Ms.Akuol Chuol
46. Ms.Aduk Dau
47. Ms.Yar Bul
48. Mr.Micheal Sosah.
49. Ms. Rachel Alek Garang
50. Mr. James Barach Aruai