Relocation of South Sudanese capital from Juba to Ramciel

By Jacob K. Lupai

September 20, 2011 — On 9 July 2011 South Sudan ended an era of marginalization by declaring itself as independent Republic of South Sudan. On 8 August precisely 30 days later the first President of the Republic of South Sudan, Salva Kiir Mayardit, declared to the nation that in the first 100 days of the new government 30 new primary schools and 4 new secondary schools will be under construction. Similarly, within the first 100 days of the government the President assured people that 600,000 children will be vaccinated against deadly diseases. The President went on to assure people that within the first 100 days of the new government 2 roads and 2 airstrips will be opened in Unity and Warrap states, and 50 new police stations will be located throughout the country.

On 26 August 2011 precisely 48 days after the declaration of independence, the President of the Republic of South Sudan announced the formation of the new national government. There was a sigh of relief as it had been indeed a long wait for the glimpse of the composition of the government. People were in limbo not knowing what was in store for them. The announcement of the new government stopped all gossips and speculations. People were now faced with the reality of a new government. As always there are those who may perceive themselves as losers. It was therefore inevitable that the formation of the new government did not get spontaneous positive reception. There were critical views expressed.

Of interest here is the relocation of the capital of the Republic of South Sudan from Juba to Ramciel and the President’s declared targets or goals to be achieved within 100 days of the new government. Presumably the period of the 100 days is with effect from 26 August, the day the new government was announced. If this is the case then the evaluation of the performance of the new government may take place on 4 December 2011. However, before people could test the new government for its commitment to service delivery within the declared 100 days, on 2 September the new government barely a week in office declared the relocation of the capital of the Republic of South Sudan from Juba to Ramciel. This may clearly suggest that we are more of theorizers than pragmatists.

We may not talk much about the achievement of the goals set within the 100 days period. This is because we are merely 23 days into the period. The government, however, will not escape scrutiny by the people. As the heading of this article suggests, the focus is on the relocation of the capital. It was in February 2011 that a proposal was made for the development of a new capital city for the then Southern Sudan. This was seen as inevitable for development with the independence of Southern Sudan becoming a reality by the minute. The main reason cited for the development of the new city was the attraction of substantial investment into the economy of independent South Sudan.

Two main challenges were highlighted with the option of continuing with Juba as the capital of an independent South Sudan. The challenges were the alleged continued tension between Central Equatoria State over the city of Juba and an appropriation act that would be required to take hold of lands owned and/or leased to citizens in an attempt of re-planning. It seems obvious that with the attempt of re-planning of Juba city for the national capital, citizens would likely be adversely affected because they might need to be relocated. Probably as a solution to this problem, two main options for a new location for the national capital were made.

The two options were Ramciel and a new location. Ramciel was explored but a company claimed it was not suitable for the capital because of a swampy terrain, high cost of building remote infrastructures, transport, supplying water and energy in and around swampy areas. A new area was then explored. The area was about 19,000 square kilometers and would be curved out from the four states of Central Equatoria, Eastern Equatoria, Jonglei and Lakes. If this was the proposed area for the new capital then the capital would have been 190 kilometers long and 100 wide. As a square the capital would have been 137.841 by 137.841 kilometers. It is unlikely that there is a capital of this size in the world. What is so unique about the capital for the Republic of South Sudan that must have such an enormous area? As a modification the amount of land recommended for the capital is now an area of 2,829 square kilometers. As a square the capital will be 53.19 b y 53.19 kilometers. London, one of the oldest capital cities in the world leave alone Jerusalem in the Middle East may hardly be 50 by 50 kilometers in area.

The justification for the new capital of the Republic of South Sudan to have such enormous area is considered for substantial attraction of investments to the economy. However, this is not only grossly misleading and erroneous but pathetic. Is investment only to be concentrated in the area of the capital? Where on earth do people need a large area for the capital to attract investments? Don’t all areas of the country deserve investments like the capital? There seems to be some flaw in our development planning. After all a capital is an organic entity that is subject to expand accordingly. Demarcating the borders of the capital save for service delivery may be a waste of meager resources. The government may not need an area as large as 2,829 square kilometers. It may need an area enough for the construction of ministries and institutions necessary for administering the country. The states naturally have vast areas where investments should be taking place instead of concentration on the capital as if the capital is everything in the country.

Arguably the relocation of the capital of the Republic of South Sudan from Juba to Ramciel is not because there is lack of land in Central Equatoria State. According to press statement by the Ministry of Information and Communication in Central Equatoria State the then GOSS was allotted two pieces of land each of 25 square kilometers on either bank of the Nile but there was no response from the GOSS. Central Equatoria State was also ready to provide the land extending from Juba International Airport to Jebel Lado Mountain as verbally requested by the GOSS but there was no official request made. In addition the Central Equatoria State official position was co-existence of the two levels of government, namely that of Central Equatoria State and that of the Republic of South Sudan. However, as the exclusive prerogative of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of South Sudan people have expressed no objection to the relocation of the capital. It is only interesting that the government has decided to relocate that capital to Ramciel against the advice of the company that concluded Ramciel was unsuitable location for the new capital.

The issue of land grabbing in Juba should not be used as the reason for the relocation of the capital. It was only unfortunate that the GOSS showed absolute deafening silence in the face of criminal land grabbing in and around Juba. The GOSS was able to make some noises about corruption and insecurity although didn’t offer tangible solutions but totally ignored the criminal land grabbing activity as though it did not exist. This seemed to have encouraged land grabbing with impunity. Land owners where even threatened with violence and death by land grabbers in uniform who were clearly undermining the constitution. The GOSS could not be seen as helpful in combating land grabbing. People were loud about unity but could not warn people of the causes of disunity of which land grabbing could be one of the causes. Courts were not helpful either as land grabbing cases dragged on and on. There is a danger that land grabbing could undermine national cohesion necessary for sustainable unity of the people of the Republic of South Sudan. The new government must wake up to the reality of land grabbing that may be a danger to peaceful co-existence for unity.

The relocation of the capital should not be associated with lack of land and not even with land grabbing in Central Equatoria. It is only a pity that the culture of greed seems to be dominant over the culture of patriotism. People behave like locusts in devouring a field of crop causing unnecessary chronic household food insecurity. When a project is conceived the priority of people seems the stuffing of their pockets with whatever their hands may touch with little regard for the nation. The dura saga is an example.

In conclusion, Central Equatoria had offered land sufficient enough for construction of government institutions to administer the country. Land grabbing cases are in court and are being dealt with albeit too slow and frustrating but will eventually be resolved. This all goes to exonerate Central Equatoria State for the perceived lack of cooperation in providing land for the new capital of the Republic of South Sudan. What is now needed though is good governance where it is people-driven, responsive and participatory. We must all applaud the President of the Republic of South Sudan, Salva Kiir Mayardit, when he said, “——–, we must now focus on delivery of basic services to meet the great expectations of our people. This is only possible if we have a government whose first, second and final priorities are public interest, public interest, public interest!” The President was addressing the First Joint Sitting of the National Legislature and the Nation.

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