Location of new South Sudan capital is not a "no man’s land" Article Comments (15) Email PrintSave --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 [email protected] -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "JFD info" group. 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