Western Bahr El Ghazal civil society organizations, students and government officials on Wednesday demonstrated in support of the capital transfer from Juba to Wau.
Civil Society Representative Tok Mach Bol said the idea of making Wau capital of South Sudan is not new, but was a request since the Addis Ababa Agreement in 1972, but was shifted to Juba for reasons unknown to them.
He explained that before the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, the capital was supposed to go to Wau, but shifted to Juba on temporary basis and later Ramciel was proposed.
Mr Bol said Western Bahr El Ghazal citizens decided that the capital has to go to Wau because of insecurity, land grabbing in Juba.
He added that Wau has a developed electricity power supply, is in the centre of the country and has vast land to accommodate the capital.
State Deputy Governor Zachariah Joseph Garang appreciated the citizens for supporting the initiative, saying the proposal manifests government’s commitment and respect to the national Transitional Constitution.
He described Western Bahr El Ghazal citizens as people of unity, cultures and sports in the ten states who deserve to host the capital city of South Sudan.
Mr Joseph promised that the state government will hand over civil society organizations’ petitions to President Salva Kiir Mayardit for consideration.