Consultations on capital city still ongoing

JUBA, 1 March 2011 – The ministerial committee dealing with the possible relocation of the capital of the Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS) is still consulting the leaders and communities concerned before a concrete decision can be made on whether and where to relocate the city.

Addressing the weekly media forum hosted by the Ministry of Information, the GOSS minister for Investment, H.E. Gen. Oyay Deng Ajak, who is also the chairperson of the committee, reported that they are considering four options for the capital. The first option is to relocate the government of Central Equatoria state and leave Juba as the seat of power for the Government of Southern Sudan.

The second option is for the communities in Central Equatoria to identify and give GOSS a new location east of the Nile to build the capital. Alternatively, the Central Equatoria communities can give GOSS any other location suitable for a capital.

The fourth option is to relocate the capital city of the Government of Southern Sudan to Ramciel which is considered as the geographic centre of the new country. Gen. Oyay explained that the consideration of Ramciel is based on the decision of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) during the war to build the capital of Southern Sudan at the location. He explained that the decision was shelved because the interim constitution recognized Juba as the capital city.

Gen. Oyay also explained that this is not the first time the government is consulting with the Central Equatoria state over the capital. He reported that a committee under the chairmanship of H.E. John Luk Jok engaged the state in 2006 but reportedly with no success.

The minister explained that the need to get ample space for the new capital is paramount. He said that Juba, in its current status, is unplanned, disorganized and congested. He reported that some developments have been shelved because there is no land to execute them on. He said the situation is worse now in light of the new expectations and needs of the new country. For instance, he said that there are many consulates which would like to build embassies in Juba but they cannot because there is no space in the city.

He announced that his team is awaiting the feedback from the Central Equatoria state government and the community leaders. He reported that they have requested for one month beginning last week to consult. In the meantime, he said, his team will visit Ramciel to consult with the concerned governments, leaders and people in the course of this week.

Gen. Oyay also clarified that the decision will be made by the GOSS but with consultations. He also said that the process will be transparent and will go through the requisite stages required by the law. He reiterated that the process will not be executed hastily.

Responding to questions from the journalists, the minister allayed concerns that investors in Juba will incur heavy losses if the capital is relocated. He said that in case of relocation, the new capital will offer greater opportunities for investment. He also explained that Juba will remain as the commercial capital if the government sets base elsewhere.

The minister admitted that the relocation of the capital will be expensive. However, he clarified that even if it remains in Juba, the city will have to be planned and built afresh. He said that the design of the city has not been formalized and stated that any designs currently being circulated are just suggestions. On whether the location of Juba near the border will pose a security threat, he said that the position is not unique as many other cities are in similar locations. He cited Maputo, Luanda, Kinshasa and even Washington DC as being on coasts of their countries.

Gen. Oyay said that regardless of where the city will be located, the government is keen to build a modern city which is suitable for a new country born in this century. He said that it will not be built in one day but gradually, perhaps by different generations.

The forum was chaired by the Advisor to the minister for Information, Mr. David Nok Marial who also appealed to the citizens not to fear the challenge. He said that the project requires determination and courage, which he expressed confidence the people and government of Southern Sudan have. The forum was attended by senior officers of the ministry led by the Undersecretary, Mr. George Garang Deng. Journalists from several local and international media institutions were present.