The capital of the newly formed state of South Sudan will be shifted to Ramciel - believed to be the capital envisioned by John Garang, former leader of the Sudan People's Liberation Army.
Ramciel is a small town north of the main city Juba. The local population are widely known to be long-standing staunch advocates of independence.
“It is a beautiful land,” said Barnaba Marial Benjamin, South Sudan’s information minister. “This is a long-term plan for a capital while we continue with our priorities.”
Officials stated that Juba was initially considered as the capital, however, the 12-square-mile site needed for new government buildings would have involved the uprooting of indigenous communities.
“There are indigenous communities in these areas. Unless they agree, we cannot just take their land,” explained Benjamin.
The planned moved comes amidst on-going fighting and conflict just north of South Sudan's border.
The Sudanese armed forces have been accused of indiscriminately bombing civilian areas in the Nuba mountains, where it claims rebels allied to South Sudan are situated.
See "Sudan continues indiscriminate bombing despite ceasefire"
