JUBA, South Sudan (AP) — South Sudan’s president on Saturday ordered a suspension of all dredging-related activities in the country until evidence-based studies of surrounding communities and ecosystems are carried out. on which they depend.
Salva Kiir Mayardit’s announcement, which was made during his speech on the 11th anniversary of the country’s independence, signifies the Bahr el Ghazal-Naam river dredging project, approved by the cabinet last year, and the centennial Jonglei canal project now it will stop.
In May, the Unity state government received dredging equipment from Egypt for the Naam River project, claiming it would reduce flooding that displaced thousands of people in the state. This was met with strong criticism from environmentalists, citizens and activists who said the plan would result in environmental and economic catastrophe, drying up the country’s White Nile River and Sudd wetlands on which farmers and local wildlife depend.
But government officials, including South Sudan’s vice presidents, have argued that the dredging process would help open rivers for economic activity and help mitigate the flooding that has affected most of the country. South Sudan has been experiencing extreme flooding for the past three years, with 1.2 million people affected by flooding across the country.
“The contending parties have presented legitimate arguments both for and against dredging,” Kiir said in his speech, adding that feasibility studies for the projects are paramount.
On Friday, environmental experts and academics from the University of Juba called on the government to carry out an environmental and social impact assessment before dredging Nile tributaries. Tag Elkhazin, a Nile expert, matched South Sudan’s support to the treason dredging project.
“Stop dredging, it’s not in your interest, it’s in the interest of a foreign country,” Professor Elkhazin said during a virtual presentation on the Jonglei Canal and water resources in South Sudan. Elkhazin said that other countries along the Nile, such as Egypt, would benefit from dredging projects that would divert more water upriver.
what people are reading
Elkhazin added that the flooding is seasonal and should not be a reason to drain the Sudd tributaries, which would have a lasting environmental impact. Local academics and hydraulic engineers also accused the government of allowing dredging to continue without consulting the general public.
President Kiir has established a 40-member Public Consultation and Awareness Committee on the Sudd region and the White Nile River to discuss the best options for water and flood management. He said a decision on the bills, supported by citizens on both sides of the debate, will be made once the committee releases its findings.
___
Campaigners said the dredging plan would result in an environmental and economic catastrophe, drying up the country’s White Nile River and the Sudd wetlands, on which farmers and local wildlife depend. #Sudan
Associated Press climate and environment coverage is supported by several private foundations. See more about the AP climate initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Deng Machol, Associated Press