By Joshua Dau Diu,
Jiengs Elders,
March 31, 2022 — At last, it has come to public awareness that some senior officials in Revitalized Government of National Unity (R-TGONU) in South Sudan are blatantly, openly and loudly calling and propagating for the “resumption of excavation of Jonglei Canal” project. Vice President Taban Deng Gai who is also the chairperson of infrastructure cluster and Hon. Manawa Peter Gatkuoth, Minister of Water and Irrigation, who are members of R-TGONU have declared their absolute involvement in supporting the implementation and execution of Egypt-Sudan project of digging Jonglei Canal that was initially proposed in 1904 to be dug in the heart of South Sudan. The intention was and is to drain water from low wetlands and tributaries into the Nile and the canal in order to supply desert lands of Egypt and Sudan with sufficient water for consumption, irrigation and industrial developments. Both countries’ dire need for water led them to construct Aswan dam for Egypt and Jebel Awlia dam in Sudan.
Due to resilient resistance by the countries within the Nile basin, namely: Central African Republic, Congo (DRC), Kenya, Uganda, Burundi, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Rwanda, Tanzania and South Sudan (1974), the execution was halted and they could not proceed with the excavation. When it was attempted again, South Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM/A) instantly and practically stopped the digging process in 1983/4.
The current proponents of the new initiative are Gen. Taban Deng and Hon. Manawa Peter who emerged out of nowhere, craving to champion the execution of the same old project. They have been noticed to be privately visiting Egypt to solicit an agenda which they have no clue and never disclosed or presented their speculated perceptions to the people of South Sudan in their respective and relevant constituencies and institutions, including but not limited to: Bomas, Payams, Counties, States, Council of Ministers, Parliaments as well as bordering countries whose interests and destiny are tied to the Nile basin water and could be easily negatively affected.
The recent floods, which are largely due to climate change that submerged vast low wetlands, destroyed and dislodged large human population settlements and domestic livestock as well as wildlife habitat in many parts of South Sudan, is taken as a pretext for the resumption of digging the Jonglei canal.
The excavation plan submitted to the R-TGONU (Council of Ministers) in December 2021 by minister Manawa Peter is premised on Egypt’s proposal of 1974 that was vehemently rejected and condemned by South Sudan public in a massive demonstration and protests all over then Southern region. The proposed Canal with its multiple imaginary and fallacious developmental projects were drastically objected to by South Sudanese public in a countrywide mass demonstrations and students protests during which a school boy was shot dead by police that fired live bullets in a failed attempt to disperse the protestors in Juba (1974).
Many people, including members of Parliament, by then, were detained. Those members of Parliament who were arrested and imprisoned included Hon. Clement Mboro, Stephen Ciec Lam, Benjamin Bol Akok, Simon Mori, Gabriel Acuoth Deng (all passed away) and Joshua Dau Diu (alive) but who escaped into exile for 3 years in East Africa.
This is the worst tragic project – Jonglei Canal – ever adopted and supported by South Sudan nationals in public high positions who pose as representatives of the interests of their people in various constituencies. However, no wonder that each and every person that occupies a leadership position in South Sudan since 2005 till today came through an armed military rebellion and not through the ballot box in a democratic election or mandated by his/her people. This project is going to add a new dimensional explosive reality to already existing political turmoil and confusion in this young nation.
The collaborators of this Egypt-Sudan scheme – resumption of Jonglei canal excavation – never bothered to consult both previous and current scientific research studies on the same project to inform themselves of the negative or positive impacts or simply to establish water policy for South Sudan to “enable efficient and effective functioning of water resources management institutions.”
This project is dangerous and harmful to South Sudan in that:
- Egypt is planning to dredge the major rivers of Lol, Bahr Naam, Busari, Jur and other tributaries in Bahr El Ghazal to drain stagnant waters into the main Nile.
- Egypt is working also to dredge Sobat all the way from Pibor, Akobo, Zeraf rivers and other streams and swamps in Upper Nile. The government of South Sudan should use water to generate hydropower from the cataracts of Fulla and Baden to supply Juba and the entire South Sudan cities and states with electricity.
The promoters of this foreign project have never bothered, at least, to go on situational visit to acquaint themselves with the feasibility, suitability or negativity of the consequences of the scheme. It is, therefore, heartbreaking to learn that these leaders did not even attempt to visit the affected areas to see for themselves the conditions of the people and their properties in agony and destruction; to express sympathy; to indicate simple humane care and to show their concerns and solidarity. They never offered some relief aid in form of food items, sheltering materials: tents, mosquito nets, blankets, plastic sheets and cooking utensils. The populations are affected by all types of diseases with no medical services or any other remedy. Deadly malaria attacks, snakebites, waterborne diseases such as bilharzia have affected the population and the government never provided facilities to combat this harmful infectious environment.
RESETTLEMENT OF FLOOD AFFECTED POPULATION
There has never been any attempt or efforts on the part of the government or representatives of the people from affected constituencies to propose evacuation and resettlement schemes for affected populations and their movable possessions like cattle, goats, etc. to higher and safe grounds. For instances:
- The affected people from Upper Nile could be moved to Jebel Boma and Eastern Equatoria States for resettlement.
- People from Jonglei State and Yirol be either resettled temporarily or permanently in Central and Eastern Equatoria States.
- Populations from Lakes be resettled in Central and Western Equatoria States.
- People from Warrap and Tonj be resettled in Western Equatoria State.
- Population from Aweil be moved to Western Bahr El Ghazal State.
The low and wetlands be utilized for agricultural projects for the benefit of all the farmers nationwide. Some tributaries and Sudd region be preserved for fisheries, papyrus, tourism and/or multiple projects and to preserve it as a National Heritage Site as already recommended by UN Habitat.
Conclusion:
The issue of water is the most important security enterprise; a matter which determines the life and prosperity of people and nations. The decision connected with life of the people and the nation of South Sudan requires collective responsible handling through the national institutions and relevant instruments after thorough studies and evaluations or considerations of “water resources management and utilization.” The people are entitled to know their rights and benefits as compared to the needs of others before draining off the water. The government must therefore guarantee scholarships for South Sudanese students to study Water Resource management.
Although Egypt is dredging rivers, tributaries and streams, this project must be suspended till further studies are undertaken by nationals of South Sudan to determine benefits in the area of agriculture and hydropower.
Since water is the most essential durable natural resource for human beings, and vegetation, any decision must be evaluated and balanced against negative consequences such as desertification of low lands, preservation of river creatures after drainage.
All Nile basin countries can be affected negatively resulting into conflict and struggle over the control of water rights and benefits.
In the light of all these facts and/or more others, it is my humble suggestion that let scientific expertise research findings serve as the guide for leaders’ conscience in processing fair and just decision making rather than vain glory and worthless material gains and fruitless profits. The majority of people and nations should not be disadvantaged by well being of the few leaders wielding power and authority in government.
The author, Joshua Dau Diu, is the Secretary General of Jieng Council of Elders. For more information, he can be reached via email at Jieng Elders jiengcouncilofelders.ss@gmail.com
