SOUTH SUDAN CAPITAL RELOCATED TO RAMCIEL aka John Garang.

September 3, 2011 (JUBA) – The newly born Republic of South Sudan has finally resolved to relocate its national capital from Juba to Ramciel, in Lakes state of Greater Bahr el Ghazal region following extensive consultations with stakeholders.

Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Barnaba Marial, briefs journalists, Juba, 2 September 2011 (ST)

The decision was reached on Friday in the Council of Ministers meeting chaired by the President Salva Kiir Mayardit. This came as a result of a report presented to the cabinet by an ad hoc committee formed several months ago to look into the issue of the capital.

The minister of information and broadcasting and official spokesman of the government, Barnaba Marial Benjamin, after the resolution was passed told the press that the decision was reached in consideration of the current situation in Juba.

He said there had been a “protracted stalemate” between the national and state governments over the status of Juba as the capital which has hampered development of the city because both investors and individuals could not find land to invest or build houses on.

Another factor he said was the decision taken by the Bari community asking the government to relocate from their land. The transitional constitution, he said, stipulates that Juba or any other location in South Sudan shall be the capital.

The ad hoc committee, chaired by the minister of National Security, Oyai Deng Ajak, former minister of Investment, held consultations with the indigenous Bari community in Juba which presented the recommendation to the committee urging that the capital should be relocated from Juba to anywhere else in South Sudan.

The Central Equatoria state government however recommended that both the national government and the state government should have continued to coexist in Juba town.

However, the national government had wanted Juba to be under the jurisdiction of the national government administratively, a demand the state government had rejected.

The state government also rejected other proposals from the national government, including an area called Gondokoro Island North of Juba town to become the new capital for the national level of government.

In 2003 before the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) the leadership of the movement chaired by late John Garang de Mabior resolved that Ramciel be the new capital for South Sudan. However, the decision was reversed after an appeal from Equatorian intellectuals and elders who wanted Juba to remain the capital.

The relationship between the national government, the state and the host community has not been smooth since 2005.

In a lengthy debate, the Council of Ministers resolved to relocate to the new capital and directed the minister of housing and physical planning to come up with modalities for the relocation process.

Ramciel or Ramkiel, which is few hundreds of kilometers away from Juba, is geographically at the center of South Sudan and is almost no man’s land. Located in the Lakes state, the area borders Jonglei state and is not fare from Central, and Eastern Equatoria states.

The size of the territory for the federal capital will be demarcated in the area and be independent territory outside the jurisdiction the state.

Marial said the process of planning, surveying and putting in place the infrastructures needed may take three to five years to complete. He added that the relocation will be gradual process implemented in stages.

(ST)

http://www.sudantribune.com/South-Sudan-relocates-its-capital,40027

What and Where is Ramciel?

Ramciel – the newly Proposed Location of New Capital [©skyscrapercity.com]

Information by Gurtong Trust

GURTONG – Ramciel is a Dinka word. In fact it is two words coined together: Ram and Ciel. Ram means meet. Ciel means middle. Put together, it means a central meeting place. So, what is central about Ramciel in reference to the Republic of South Sudan?

Simple observation will show that it is somewhat located in the centre of South Sudan, compared to Juba. Although it initially appears to be entirely in Lakes State, which is part of Greater Bahr el Ghazal, future expansion could extend to Central Equatoria and across the River White Nile to Eastern Equatoria State, both located in Greater Equatoria. Same expansion can include land in Jonglei State, which is part of Greater Upper Nile.

During the colonial era, Southern Sudan was divided into three provinces namely Bahr el Ghazal (Capital Wau), Equatoria (Capital Juba) and Upper Nile (Capital Malakal).

A master plan of the proposed new capital of the Republic of South Sudan

Currently, South Sudan is divided into ten states, with 4 states in Greater Bahr el Ghazal: Lakes State (Capital Rumbek), Western Bahr el Ghazal State(Capital Wau), Northern Bahr el Gazal State (Capital Aweil) and Warrap State (Capital Kuacjok). There are 3 states in Greater Equatoria namely Central Equatoria State (Capital Juba), Eastern Equatoria State (Capital Torit) and Western Equatoria State (Capital Yambio). There are 3 states in Greater Upper Nile namely Jonglei State (Capital Bor), Upper Nile State (Capital Malakal) and Western Upper Nile aka Unity State (Capital Bentiu).

Each state has a parliament and a government with her own ministries headed by a Governor.

Ramciel is about 125 miles north of Juba and, like Juba, on the West side of the White Nile. It will take under two hours on a tarmacked road to Juba – no tarmacked road between the two at the moment. Under ideal conditions, it probably will take about 30 minutes to Rumbek and up to three hours to Wau under the same conditions. Connecting Ramciel to Malakal and to Eastern Equatoria (Torit) will require a bridge over the White Nile. On a tarmac road, it will likely take at least three hours to Torit and up to six hours to Malakal through Bor. Reaching Aweil and Kuacjok will be initially through Wau; from there it will be under an hour to both Aweil and Kuacjok under the same road (tarmacked) conditions. Reaching Bentiu, will mean either proceeding north-east from Kuacjok or proceeding north-west from Malakal.

Note that the largest grass swamp in the world, the Sudd – now a world’s heritage- lies in the middle of Geater Bahr el Gazal and Greater Upper Nile, thus making direct road communications between towns located at the opposite four corners of the Sudd practically impossible; thus the need to go around the swamp, which currently makes both Malakal and Bentiu inaccessible by road from the south and west in the wet season from June to November. Ramciel and Rumbek are located at the South end of the Sudd. Bentiu and Malakal are North of the Swamp. Wau, Aweil and Kuacjok are west of the Sudd while Bor is located south-east of the Swamp.

In dry season, the Sudd contracts and wildlife from both east and west migrate towrads the Sudd and the White Nile. In the wet season, the Sudd expands and the wildlife moves into higher grounds further east and further west of the White Nile and the Sudd. Ramciel will be almost at the eastern end of the National Game Park west of White Nile.

http://www.gurtong.net/ECM/Editorial/tabid/124/ID/5689/Default.aspx

Location of new South Sudan capital is not a “no man’s land”

By Martin Ajhak

September 7, 2011 — The decision to relocate the national capital of the Republic of South Sudan to Ramciel is an informed and decisive one, congratulations and bravo to the council of ministers and President Kiir. Well done. The confirmation of this relocation is not surprising to the entire country and Ramciel’s indigenous groups in particular. Ramciel is strategically the best place for all of us as South Sudanese and foreigners to dwell in. Triangularly, it shares borders with all three Greater regions -Equatoria, Upper Nile and Bahr el Ghazal and a vast land suitable for possible developmental expansions. It is good place for our security convenience and service delivery. All these attributes makes Ramciel the viable site for our city.

The choice to make Ramciel as a capital of the Republic of South Sudan is driven by its location suitability, geographical centrality, and feasibility for long-term expandable development, weather friendly environment, and peace-loving and hospitable inhabitant’s people of the Ciec community. But not because of the absurd view of it being a no man’s land. I am appalled and disheartened by this assertion.

Mindfully, public figures such as politicians, academics, and members of journalistic community of this newest nation should be more hesitant and disengage themselves from offensive, delusional, controversial, provocative, and sensitive comment at any cost. Whoever thinks that Ramciel is a no man’s land is dumbly wrong and I condemn him or her to hell. No single hectare of land is a no man’s land in South Sudan and generally in Africa. Even an uninhabited forest of Chuol Akol that has never been occupied in our history is not a no man’s land.

This inexcusable and irresponsible remark is an insult to the community, a denial and a violation of Ciec territorial rights as legitimate owners of Ramciel. Well, council of ministers together with Lakes state Governor Chol Tong has already started consultation with Ciec Community leadership, chiefs, traditional leaders of the area and witnesses from other two counties of greater Yirol. Currently, the committee lead by Housing & Physical Infrastructure Ministry is urged to do the same.

As South Sudanese and more importantly the so called politicians should avoid notions that stir more hatred, chaos and confusion among our tribes. It is politicians’ moral duty not to instigate devastating issues in the society. The tribal clashes which have been dominating our progress in South Sudan since 2005 are all traced back to politicians who have been trying to use their influences or positions in way or the other in community affairs. But we just won our long awaited and hard-won independence from North Sudan due to marginalisation and denial of basic rights among other things. It will be good enough if our leaders forge different ways of politicising issues in more open and honest manner. Even a child born in 2005 could not advise a foreigner that there is no man’s land in South Sudan as a whole leave alone Ramciel.

The policy of no man’s land also known as terra nullius has been proven as a failed policy all around the world. When Captain Arthur Phillip from Great Britain settled Australia in 1788 after declaring it in England as a no man land disregarding the existence of Aborigines as traditional owners, their settlement had become an uncomfortable and a chaotic one in the history of Australia. That mistake over 200 years ago is still irremediable despite countless government apologies and compensations.

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the term no man’s land is a term use to describe a disputed territory or one over which there was legal disagreement.

But Ramciel has never been under dispute, ever since it has indigenous occupants and it is in the centre of Ciec territory. It is their ancestral land over which they have automatically acquired ancestral rights according to the Transitional Constitution of South Sudan.

Section 170 subsections (10) and (11)respectively stipulates that, ‘Communities and persons enjoying rights in land shall be consulted in decisions that may affect their rights in lands and resources’ and shall be entitled to prompt and equitable compensation on just terms arising from acquisition or development of land in their areas in the public interest’.

As per this constitutional stipulation, Ciec and more importantly Ador of Yirol East county in which Ramciel exist as a Payam [district] are entitled to equitable and proper consultations and negotiations because the capital city is going to be allocated amongst their children, gardens, and cattle. Moreover, since Yirol East

County is a part of Lakes State it is crystal clear that Lakes State as a whole is the host of our capital city. But referring it as a no man’s land because it is not going to be directly in your forefather’s boma or payam is regretful. Obviously, Ramciel belongs to us all under the concept of South Sudanese nationhood, among Lakes State residents, greater Yirol as a whole. But there are particular clans that have been dwelling there since the early settlement before we can communally call it ours.

For instance, as South Sudanese, we call Juba our interim capital City but it belongs to Bari, Rumbeek is our State headquarters as Lakes residents but it belongs to its owners, Yirol belongs to Pan Nyang likewise Ramciel belongs to Ciec and together we will call it our Capital city in the same categorical manner. Having shared borders doesn’t qualify neighbours to be part of what is going on in someone house. The fundamental effect of having a national city in ones house or garden is enormous on the owner of house but not on neighbours.

The government of South Sudan is welcomed to start right procedures of relocation. Starting with correctly identifying and recognising the rightful owners of Ramciel. Acknowledgement of Ramciel natives is their inalienable right and no one even the powerful and the richest individuals can or will use his/her influence to take it away, divert it, steal it or conceal it from them. Attributing Ramciel to its rightful indigenous group will be a token of peaceful co-existent and a blessing of the capital dwellers.

In the bible John 14 -2, Jesus Comfort His Disciples by telling them that “in my Father’s house there are many rooms”.

Assuredly, although the government of South Sudan has been faced by lack of viable land, and aggression from Juba locals then the ROSS, potential city dwellers and investors are more than welcome to Ramciel. Ciec community will generously avail enough land to accommodate the city. The hospitality, friendliness, peaceful accommodation of strangers and unwavering loyalty that Ciec community has been exhibited since the struggle and beyond are still on display. Welcome to Ramciel, THE PLACE TO BE!

Ramciel belongs to Ciec Community it is Not a “No Man Land”.

The author of this article can be reached at panda.peace@yahoo.com

http://www.sudantribune.com/Location-of-new-South-Sudan,40063

Kiir forms ministerial committee for building of South Sudan’s new capital

September 7, 2011 (JUBA) – The President of the newly born Republic of South Sudan, Salva Kiir Mayardit, has issued an order forming a ministerial committee to make the necessary preparations for the building of the new capital to be known as ‘Ramciel Union’.

President Salva Kiir of Southern Sudan addresses the media at the Presidential Guest House in Juba, Southern Sudan, Thursday, May 26, 2011 (Paul Banks/UNMIS)

Last Friday the cabinet resolved to relocate the government’s seat from Juba to the country’s centre in Ramciel in Lakes state following the “protracted stalemate” between the national government and the Central Equatoria state over the jurisdictions of the city. The host Bari community of Juba felt that they would be acculturated by the bigger communities such as the Dinka and the Nuer, coupled with issues of land grabbing.

Officials say the uncertainty in the town had made access to land difficult to the national government, the ordinary people as well as the investors which they said had hampered the prospect for development in the area.

Ramciel or Ramkiel, which officials say means ‘where rhinos meet’ in the two slightly different Dinka words, lies at the centre of South Sudan and borders a number of states. The area has almost no infrastructure, no towns and only a few seasonal villages.

The presidential order number 17 has constituted the ministerial committee for ‘Ramciel Union’ as the national territory for the capital of South Sudan to be chaired by the minister of Housing and Physical Planning, Jemma Nunu Kumba.

The membership of the committee include John Luk Jok, minister of Justice, Oyai Deng Ajak, minister for National Security, Costi Manibe Ngai, minister of Finance and Economic Planning, David Deng Athorbei, minister of Electricity and Dams, Gier Chuang Aluong, minister of Roads and Bridges, Alfred Lado Gore, minister of Environment, Garang Ding Akuong, minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment and a representative of Lakes state to be appointed by the governor.

The committee shall define and demarcate the borders of Ramciel as the national capital territory which shall fall outside the jurisdiction of Lakes state government. It will also study land use methodology and its management as well as carry out feasibility study with a competent company.

The order directs the committee to also initiate construction of public utilities and infrastructure in the new capital. It will also propose a budget for the committee as well as budget for the Mayor of the capital’s territory who will be appointed by the President.

The new capital may take tens of billions of US dollars to build and officials have acknowledged that it cannot be possible using only the normal annual budgets of the government. Foreign investors may have to be attracted to build the city through direct investment or on a loan basis.

The committee will report their findings to the office of the president within 45 days.

(ST)

http://www.sudantribune.com/Kiir-forms-ministerial-committee,40081

S. South new capital: Ramciel local administrator says roads clearance begins

November 7, 2011 (JUBA) – The local administrator of the proposed territory of the new capital of South Sudan, Ramciel, said they have begun the work to clear all roads leading to the area.

Francis Manyal Atuot the administrator of Ramciel, Lakes state, came to Juba on Thursday and briefed the vice president, Riek Machar. Atout said that the relocation is welcomed by the residents of the Ramciel region.

Atuot and Machar were accompanied by the former minister of higher education, science and technology, Job Dhurai, who discussed the proposed locations of river ports in the region.

In August, South Sudan resolved to relocate the capital from Juba to Ramciel. The decision came, in part, as a result of disagreements over the jurisdiction of Juba city between the national government, the Central Equatoria state, Juba county and residents.

A ministerial committee is chaired by the national minister of housing and physical planning, Jemma Nunu Kumba, to implement the relocation.

The committee shall carry out a feasibility study and will survey the area before the construction of buildings begins in 2012.

A number of credible national and international companies have been bidding to win the contracts.

(ST)

http://www.sudantribune.com/S-South-new-capital-Ramciel-local,40651