The South Sudan government has presented to UNESCO and the world heritage center the names of three heritage sites to be included on the first-ever list of potential world heritage sites.
Sudd Wetlands and the Boma-Badingilo Migratory Landscape located in former Jonglei State, and Deim Zubier Slave Route Site in former Western Bahr el Ghazal State.
Atem Al-Fatih, deputy head of cultural department of Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport says the sites could be regarded as source of unity among South Sudan.
South Sudan ratified the UNESCO World Heritage Convention in 2016.
El-Fatih, says they have worked closely with UNESCO to identify potential heritage sites to be included on its national properties that have outstanding universal value.
Ellen Lekka, cultural programs officer at UNESCO in Juba, says the three sites are not only important to South Sudanese but to the entire humanity in the World.
The Sudd Wetland represents one of the world’s largest freshwater ecosystems with its network of channels, lagoons and inundated areas.
The Boma-Badingilo Migratory Landscape hosts the second largest animal migration in the world in one of East Africa’s most extensive savannah habitats.
And Deim Zubeir represents a historical slave trench from the 19th century and is associated with the North African, Arab and Asian-led slave trade routes.
Lekka believes the sites will help develop South Sudan and attract tourists, which would boost the country’s economy.
Al Fatih the ongoing conflict in South Sudan has affected the excavations work that would have been done in many sites in the country.
Al ‚ÄìFatih called on South Sudan’s warring parties to end the fighting and work to unite the country