A cross section of Lakes State residents are supporting last week’s GoSS proposal to relocate the capital of South Sudan from Juba to Ramchiel.
Last Friday, GoSS council of ministers constituted a committee to study the relocation of South Sudan’s capital either to the White Nile’s East Bank in front of Juba or in Ramchiel in Lakes State.Callers who took part in Good News Radio’s phone-in programme yesterday evening unanimously supported Ramchiel, saying it is at the centre of South Sudan, in a historically significant place near to a water source.
Samuel Mabior Makuek said that Juba is not geographically central and Ramchiel connects four states: Lakes, Upper Nile, Central Equatoria and Jonglei.
Marko Chol Machiech, Lakes State Political Advisor, spoke strongly in favour of Ramchiel, citing its historical significance as the original administrative capital of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army.
He added that Ramchiel is “almost” in the middle of three collective regions, namely Greater Bahr El Ghazal, Greater Equatoria, and Greater Upper Nile.
Mr. Chol welcomed the discussions about the relocation of South Sudan’s capital, explaining that it is such freedom of expressions that the people of South Sudan have been fighting for.
He added that Ramchiel’s geographical feature of three hills could be used to construct the executive, legislative and judiciary poles of democracy.
Mr. Chol said the people of South Sudan should reach a consensus where to build their own capital.
The commission tasked with the verification of the two locations proposed for federal capital of South Sudan is expected to report back at the end of the month.