Relocation of South Sudan capital faces problems

By Isaiah Abraham

May 11, 2011 — In March this year, the government of the people of Southern Sudan formed a Committee to assess areas of Raciel in Lakes State, areas North East of Mangalla Payam in Central Equatoria State (CES) and North of Terekaka County on the same state (CES), as well as of course Juba as a fallback idea. War veteran named as Gen. Oyai Deng, the Minister of Investment in the Southern Government leads the Committee. Sixty days were given by the President and the Committee could have been up this week and deliver a recommendation.

The Committee members went to the suggested areas (Ramcial, Mangalla & Terekaka areas), talking to CES, taking into account every potential obstacle that may make the national capital difficult to be developed. Experts and technical teams were reported to have formed part of the committee.

Initially at the time of the announcement and even today, the public was/is divided about the idea of relocating the people’s capital elsewhere. Groups were formed, those for the idea and other against it. All of them of course have valid arguments, but as always, one argument will override the other. Those against the idea of relocating the national capital argued that it is not any priority to talk about huge project such as the relocation of the national capital when there are pressing social and physical problems to undertake in the areas of food security, health, education sanitation or water and general infrastructures.

But people who thought it otherwise (this author included) wanted to know why the issue of the relocating the national capital isn’t a priority, when the land issue and an ending squabble as to who should call the shot in the city remain matters of major concerns. By the way, the idea of relocating the national capital isn’t a small matter, something in which a small group of people would want to put it under carpet! Juba in all standards has fallen short of becoming a national capital for the aforesaid reasons among many more.

Besides, we must not nag each other everyday about this matter of ‘my land’ and ‘those people’. We have had enough of paper writings against one another, threats and intimidation against one other and it time to settle in peace and harmony. Since we have a future to cherish together, we should be focus and make use of natural differences to avoid problems in the future like it happened in the 1980s. Complains, complains, magnifying little things and snipping or ‘spying’ one another must be put to rest once and for all. That spirit if we are not careful is will tear us apart. Let’s help ourselves out amicably and salute the team that came up with the idea of relocation of the national capital to a neutral spot. Our brothers Bari are to be left alone. Let’s have a picture of this city ten years from now. Environmentally moreover this place called Juba is woeful.

I have said all that stuff above because it seems as though the idea of relocating the national capital is faltering or it is about to be compromised as the word goes around that the Ramciel thing is fast disappearing or under challenge because people say there is lack of water there and it is huge financial burden to the new nation. Others also don’t think that Atut in particular and Achiech or Aggar would be better people than Bari. Recall Atut youths are said to be ruthless and rowdy, the boys we all see around Juba exchanging money and sometime extort customers. Someone charges that these people have someone in the Bank of Southern Sudan that ditches hard currency to these boys. I pray that the new government reshuffle that bank because of these old men at the top! Endowed economists such as Dr. David Naillo Mayo, Dr. Majak D’ Agoot among others could do better. Oh no that is a stray, yeah?

So if we disqualify Ramciel as things look certain so, then we are left with two options- Juba and the North of it. People say North of Juba is popular with the ordinary Southerners. But a word goes around that some members within that committee don’t want to leave Juba for personal interests. People whisper that most members within this important committee of survey for a new capital have their huge businesses and assets behind here in Juba and therefore would make every excuse to keep people around. It may be true or not true. The point is that water can’t be an issue; we all know it but also the Nile isn’t far away from that place.

Juba would have been ok if we have a feeling of brotherhood, living together and sharing little land with less noise around us. But now it is an impasse, other tribes don’t feel safe psychologically anymore. Enough is must be enough; living as second class resident is painful. But above all, the national government wants to expand and urbanize the city, developers wants to come in, private investors too have all along cry for land to put their heads down, where are we going to accommodate all these interests in a city already occupied, restrictively manage by certain elite of our society. Please GOSS leaders if you insist on staying here in Juba, then you ought to free yourself and others from those around here.

May be it is time to prove the issue water shortage in Ramciel more nakedly. If however the leaders in Juba would love to maintain Juba as the National Capital due to any reason beyond their reach, they must do the following things: one is that they need to convinced the CES that the national government has the authority over the city, and not the vice versa. Currently everything has stalled as the state doesn’t have enough resources like the national government to do more urban works. This is important and it means practically that the city where the national government sits must not be administratively made part of this State (CES). The city can be elevated to become a state on its own with parliament, ministers and the like.

Second (if people insist on staying in Juba or its eastern side), the native of Juba especially Bari should drop their claims that the city belongs to them exclusively, and therefore their legitimate right to write ultimatums and issue threats against anyone. They must visit history on major cities which were inhabited before; whether that is the case. Government has authority to use people land for the common good of the same person. That is no basic right being violated when the government intends to extend service to the people. The national government should not be undermined by a section of our society for selfish drive. Capital extension is an ongoing and no one could stand on the way of the national development.

Third, the definition and interpretation of land ownership under CPA must be repealed and reviewed. I got impressed when His Excellency the Minister of Telecommunication Gen. Madut Biar read out a certain piece about the land in the Transitional Constitution. I was satisfied and believe parliament will not temper with this vital interjection! The law that a land belongs to the community has been abused and misused to mean that citizens have every right to deny government projects irrespective of larger benefits associated with them. The land yes belongs to the community but the community belongs or answerable to the government. Communities are the governments and any part can’t deny to be part of the other. What the government thinks is good for the people will always remains so, and should not be rejected in blanket. Capital is one of the good investments everyone wants, why are we (say Bari) so protective and offensive when they are being given a hand of help.

Forth, the islands North of Juba must be used for common good. These could be Business Centers, seat of government units, Cultural Centers for tourism purposes, Parliament, United Nations bodies, State House, or any other major governmental projects such as colleges, hospitals, or simple recreational centers. Locals around there should understand and comply. The government can compensate each affected member.

I want my people to renounce hate against one other. People around here were beautiful indeed; Bari politicians have spoiled them and are not anymore beautiful but bitter. Why just hate anyone who doesn’t do you any harm? Even if others leave Juba they will still turn to minor groups around them and that had happened actually in the eighties. They will poison one another, kill their ministers and chase one another away from anywhere near this city or its surroundings. The decision to remove the national capital was a wise one; it should not be narrowed though to narrowed politics and tribal hate; its just developmental.

Isaiah Abraham lives in Juba; he is reachable at [email protected]