Juba, Sudan
Encyclopedia
South Sudan
South Sudan , officially the Republic of South Sudan, is a landlocked country located in the Sahel region of northeastern Africa. It is also part of the North Africa UN sub-region. Its current capital is Juba, which is also its largest city; the capital city is planned to be moved to the more...
. It also serves as the capital of Central Equatoria
Central Equatoria
-Government:Executive*Governor - Maj. Gen. Clement Wani Konga*Deputy Governor and Minister of Education, Science and Technology - Mr. Manase Lomole Waya *Minister of Education - Lokulenge Lole Lokule...
, the smallest of the ten states of South Sudan. The city is situated on the White Nile
White Nile
The White Nile is a river of Africa, one of the two main tributaries of the Nile from Egypt, the other being the Blue Nile. In the strict meaning, "White Nile" refers to the river formed at Lake No at the confluence of the Bahr al Jabal and Bahr el Ghazal rivers...
and functions as the seat and metropolis
Metropolis
A metropolis is a very large city or urban area which is a significant economic, political and cultural center for a country or region, and an important hub for regional or international connections and communications...
of Juba County
Juba County
Juba County is an administrative area in Central Equatoria state, South Sudan. It is the largest county in Central Equatoria and one of the largest in the entire region of Equatoria. Its county seat is Juba, the state capital of Central Equatoria and the national capital of the Republic of South...
.
Population
In 2005, Juba's population was 163,442. Based on analysis of aerial photos, the best estimate of several donors working in Juba calculated the 2006 population at approximately 250,000. The 5th Sudan Population and Housing Census took place in April/May 2008, stating the population of Juba CountyJuba County
Juba County is an administrative area in Central Equatoria state, South Sudan. It is the largest county in Central Equatoria and one of the largest in the entire region of Equatoria. Its county seat is Juba, the state capital of Central Equatoria and the national capital of the Republic of South...
to be 372,413 (the majority residing in Juba City, which dominates the county
Counties of South Sudan
The ten states of the East African country of South Sudan are divided into 86 counties. The ten states are Central Equatoria, Eastern Equatoria, Jonglei, Lakes, Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Unity, Upper Nile, Warrap, Western Bahr el Ghazal, and Western Equatoria....
), but the results were rejected by the Autonomous Government of Southern Sudan. Juba is one of the fastest-growing cities in the world, and is developing very rapidly due to oil money and the Chinese coming for work and development. In 2011, the population of the city of Juba is estimated at approximately 372,410.
Population growth:
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1973 (census) | 56,740 |
| 1983 (census) | 83,790 |
| 1993 (census) | 114,980 |
| 2005 (estimate) | 163,440 |
| 2006 (estimate) | 250,000 |
| 2011 (estimate) | 372,410 |
History
In the 19th century, a trading post and a mission was located in the vicinity of Juba called GondokoroGondokoro
Gondokoro was a trading-station on the east bank of the White Nile in Southern Sudan, 750 miles south of Khartoum. Its importance lay in the fact that it was within a few miles of the limit of navigability of the Nile from Khartoum upstream...
. It was the southernmost outpost of the Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
ian garrison, supported by a handful of soldiers, mostly ill due to the malaria
Malaria
Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease of humans and other animals caused by eukaryotic protists of the genus Plasmodium. The disease results from the multiplication of Plasmodium parasites within red blood cells, causing symptoms that typically include fever and headache, in severe cases...
and blackwater fever
Blackwater fever
Blackwater fever is a complication of malaria in which red blood cells burst in the bloodstream , releasing hemoglobin directly into the blood vessels and into the urine, frequently leading to kidney failure...
that was dominant in the region. Gondokoro was also the base of the explorer and campaigner Sir Samuel Baker
Samuel Baker
Sir Samuel White Baker, KCB, FRS, FRGS was a British explorer, officer, naturalist, big game hunter, engineer, writer and abolitionist. He also held the titles of Pasha and Major-General in the Ottoman Empire and Egypt. He served as the Governor-General of the Equatorial Nile Basin between Apr....
during his expeditions to what is now Southern Sudan and northern Uganda
Uganda
Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
from 1863 to 1865, and from 1871 to 1873.
In 1922, a small number of Greek
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
traders arrived in the area and established Juba on the western bank of the White Nile. The Greeks, who had excellent relations with the indigenous tribe of Juba (the Bari), built what is known today the Business District. The buildings which today house the Buffalo Commercial Bank
Buffalo Commercial Bank
Buffalo Commercial Bank ' is a commercial bank in South Sudan. It is one of the commercial banks licensed by the Bank of South Sudan, the national banking regulator.-Overview:...
, Nile Commercial Bank
Nile Commercial Bank
Nile Commercial Bank ' is a commercial bank in South Sudan. It is one of the commercial banks licensed to operate in South Sudan, by the Bank of South Sudan, the national banking regulator.-Overview:...
, Paradise Hotel, the Norwegian Consul
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
's House and so many others, were originally built by the Greeks and were the only permanent structures to be found until the early 1940s.
From 1899 to 1956, Juba was in the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan
Anglo-Egyptian Sudan
Anglo-Egyptian Sudan referred to the manner by which Sudan was administered between 1899 and 1956, when it was a condominium of Egypt and the United Kingdom.-Union with Egypt:...
which was jointly administered by the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and Egypt
Kingdom of Egypt
The Kingdom of Egypt was the first modern Egyptian state, lasting from 1922 to 1953. The Kingdom was created in 1922 when the British government unilaterally ended its protectorate over Egypt, in place since 1914. Sultan Fuad I became the first king of the new state...
. British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
hopes to join the southern part of Sudan with Uganda
Uganda
Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
were dashed in 1947 by an agreement in Juba, also known as the Juba Conference
Juba Conference
The Juba Conference was a June 1947 meeting attended by British and Sudanese delegates in the city of Juba, then regional capital of Equatoria Province in South Sudan ....
, to unify northern and southern Sudan. In 1955, a mutiny of southern soldiers in Torit
Torit
-Location:The town is located in Torit County, Eastern Equatoria State, in the southeastern part of South Sudan, close to the International border with the Republic of Uganda. Its location lies approximately , by road, east of Juba, the capital and largest city in that country...
town sparked the First Sudanese Civil War
First Sudanese Civil War
The First Sudanese Civil War was a conflict from 1955 to 1972 between the northern part of Sudan and the southern Sudan region that demanded representation and more regional autonomy...
, which did not end until 1972. During the Second Sudanese Civil War
Second Sudanese Civil War
The Second Sudanese Civil War started in 1983, although it was largely a continuation of the First Sudanese Civil War of 1955 to 1972. Although it originated in southern Sudan, the civil war spread to the Nuba mountains and Blue Nile by the end of the 1980s....
, Juba was a strategic location that was the focus of much fighting.
In 2005, Juba became the interim seat and the capital of the Autonomous Government of Southern Sudan, although the proposed interim capital before the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement
Comprehensive Peace Agreement
The Comprehensive Peace Agreement , also known as the Naivasha Agreement, was a set of agreements culminating in January 2005 that were signed between the Sudan People's Liberation Movement and the Government of Sudan...
was Rumbek
Rumbek
Rumbek is a town in South Sudan.-Location:The town of Rumbek is located in Rumbek Central County, Lakes State in central South Sudan. This location lies approximately , by road, northwest of Juba, the capital and largest city in that country. Rumbek sits at an elevation of above sea level...
. With the advent of peace, the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
increased its presence in Juba, whereas many Southern Sudan operations had until that time been managed from Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
. Under the leadership of the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Ocha
Ocha is a genus of moth in the family Lasiocampidae....
, the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
established a camp known as "OCHA Camp", which served as a base for many United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
agencies and non-governmental organizations.
Juba became the world's newest national capital on 9 July 2011, when South Sudan formally declared its independence from the Republic of the Sudan. However, the South Sudanese government and others have expressed dissatisfaction with the city's suitability as a national capital, and the government studied a proposal that would see a new planned city built as a replacement capital elsewhere, most likely Ramciel
Ramciel
Ramciel, also spelled Ramshiel, is a place in Lakes, a state in South Sudan, that will serve as the future site of the national capital. It is considered the geographic center of the country and borders Jonglei state to the west...
in Lakes
Lakes (state)
Lakes is one of the 10 states of South Sudan. It has an area of 40,235 km². Rumbek is the capital of the state. Lakes is in the Bahr el Ghazal region of South Sudan, in addition to Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Western Bahr el Ghazal, and Warrap states. Bahr el Ghazal itself was a former province...
.
On 5 September 2011, the government announced the capital would indeed move to Ramciel, some 250km away from Juba, closer to the border with north Sudan.
Government
Juba is led by a city councilCity council
A city council or town council is the legislative body that governs a city, town, municipality or local government area.-Australia & NZ:Because of the differences in legislation between the States, the exact definition of a City Council varies...
headed by Mayor Mohammed El Haj Baballa. This council was formed in March 2011 and Baballa appointed to lead it by Governor Clement Wani Konga
Clement Wani Konga
Clement Wani Konga is a South Sudanese politician. He has served as governor of Central Equatoria since 2005.-References:...
. Former Yei County Commissioner David Lokonga Moses was appointed as deputy mayor. A ministerial committee to keep Juba clean and sanitary was also created by gubernatorial decree at the same time.
Prior to March 2011, the area now administered by Juba City Council was divided into Juba, Kator, and Muniki payams. It is now a standalone subdivision of Juba County
Juba County
Juba County is an administrative area in Central Equatoria state, South Sudan. It is the largest county in Central Equatoria and one of the largest in the entire region of Equatoria. Its county seat is Juba, the state capital of Central Equatoria and the national capital of the Republic of South...
, of which it is the county seat.
Infrastructure
Nile
The Nile is a major north-flowing river in North Africa, generally regarded as the longest river in the world. It is long. It runs through the ten countries of Sudan, South Sudan, Burundi, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda and Egypt.The Nile has two major...
, properly called the Bahr al Jabal section of the White Nile
White Nile
The White Nile is a river of Africa, one of the two main tributaries of the Nile from Egypt, the other being the Blue Nile. In the strict meaning, "White Nile" refers to the river formed at Lake No at the confluence of the Bahr al Jabal and Bahr el Ghazal rivers...
. Before the civil war, Juba was also a transportation hub, with highways connecting it to Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
, Uganda
Uganda
Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Because of the war Juba can hardly be called a transportation hub anymore. Roads and the river harbour are currently not in use due to disrepair. The United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
and Southern Sudanese government are repairing the roads, but full repair is expected to take many years. In 2003, the Swiss Foundation for Mine Action
Swiss Foundation for Mine Action
The Swiss Foundation for Mine Action is a Swiss non-governmental organisation. "FSD" stands for Fondation Suisse de Déminage, the French name of the organisation). FSD is politically, ideologically and religiously independent. FSD is based in Geneva and operates a logistical and administrative...
(FSD) started to clear the roads leading from Juba to Uganda and Kenya. It was expected that these roads would be completely de-mined and rebuilt in the course of 2006–2008. The rebuilding of the roads, which are mostly un-paved, takes a tremendous amount of effort and time because of the limited work season due to the lengthy rainy season, which lasts from March until October. The roads are considerably important for the peace process in Sudan as people need them to return to their homes and to regain what they feel is a normal life again. The first road that has started to be rebuilt is the road to Uganda. This road is particularly important, as many of the original inhabitants of Juba fled to Uganda during the war. , there are three paved roads in Juba, one which was re-surfaced in July. The main one is a concrete road, built by the British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
in the 1950s.
As of April 2009, Juba Airport
Juba Airport
Juba Airport is the main airport in Juba, South Sudan.-Location:The airport is located in the capital city of Juba, South Sudan. The airport lies to the northeast of the Central business district of the city, on the western banks of the White Nile....
is the site of large numbers of flights bringing UN and NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) aid into Southern Sudan, as well as passengers and general air freight. The airport is very busy, among the busiest in East Africa
East Africa
East Africa or Eastern Africa is the easterly region of the African continent, variably defined by geography or geopolitics. In the UN scheme of geographic regions, 19 territories constitute Eastern Africa:...
. The construction of a new terminal was begun in late 2007 when the oil prices were very high ($100+). Since then, with the oil prices going back down, the fate of the new terminal is uncertain. As of December 2009 there are now daily flights from Nairobi's International "Jomo Kenyatta Airport" with three airlines, daily flights from Khartoum
Khartoum
Khartoum is the capital and largest city of Sudan and of Khartoum State. It is located at the confluence of the White Nile flowing north from Lake Victoria, and the Blue Nile flowing west from Ethiopia. The location where the two Niles meet is known as "al-Mogran"...
with only one airline, daily flights from Entebbe International Airport
Entebbe International Airport
Entebbe International Airport is the principal international airport of Uganda.-Location:It is located near the town of Entebbe, on the shores of Lake Victoria, and about from the capital, Kampala...
and daily flights from Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa is the capital city of Ethiopia...
. Juba is served by the Juba Airport
Juba Airport
Juba Airport is the main airport in Juba, South Sudan.-Location:The airport is located in the capital city of Juba, South Sudan. The airport lies to the northeast of the Central business district of the city, on the western banks of the White Nile....
(JUB/HSSJ). The United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) has a large compound near the Juba Airport.
Between 2008 and 2011, the Ugandan government and the South Sudanese government, undertook joint efforts to develop a railway link between the Northern Uganda
Northern Region, Uganda
Northern Region is a region of Uganda. It is divided into the following districts:...
n city of Gulu
Gulu
Gulu is a city in Northern Uganda. It is the commercial and administrative centre of Gulu District. The city is located at 2˚46'48N 32˚18'00E, on the metre gauge railway from Tororo to Pakwach. Gulu is located approximately , by road, north of Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city...
and Juba, with an extension to Wau
Wau, Sudan
Wau is a city in South Sudan.-Location:It lies on the western bank of the Jur River, in Wau County, Western Bahr el Ghazal State, in northwestern South Sudan. Its location lies approximately , northwest of Juba, the capital and largest city in that country...
. A memorandum of understanding between the two governments was signed to that effect in August 2008. The same memorandum outlined plans to develop the road network between the two countries. Recent media reports from the region suggest that the railway link from Juba, may link directly with Kenya, bypassing Uganda.
The city's growth in the months and years leading up to independence has been described as "chaotic".
Business
, several regional and international businesses have established presence in Juba. The KenyaKenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
n banking conglomerate Kenya Commercial Bank has its Southern Sudanese headquarters in the city and a branch network of eleven (11) branches throughout Southern Sudan. The three indigenous Southern Sudanese commercial banks namely; Buffalo Commercial Bank
Buffalo Commercial Bank
Buffalo Commercial Bank ' is a commercial bank in South Sudan. It is one of the commercial banks licensed by the Bank of South Sudan, the national banking regulator.-Overview:...
, Ivory Bank
Ivory Bank
Ivory Bank is a commercial bank in South Sudan. It is one of the commercial banks licensed to operate in South Sudan, by the Bank of South Sudan, the national banking regulator.-Overview:...
and Nile Commercial Bank
Nile Commercial Bank
Nile Commercial Bank ' is a commercial bank in South Sudan. It is one of the commercial banks licensed to operate in South Sudan, by the Bank of South Sudan, the national banking regulator.-Overview:...
, all maintain their headquarters in Juba. Equity Bank
Equity Bank Group
Equity Bank Group, is a financial services organization in East Africa. The Group's headquarters are located in Nairobi, Kenya, with subsidiaries in Kenya, Uganda, and South Sudan...
, another regional finance services provider also has a branch in Juba. National Insurance Corporation
National Insurance Corporation
National Insurance Corporation Limited , commonly referred to as National Insurance Corporation, is an insurance company in Uganda. The company is a leading provider of insurance and risk management services in Uganda.-Overvview:...
(NIC), the leading Uganda
Uganda
Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
n insurance services provider maintains an office in the city.
Climate
Juba has a tropical wet and dry climate (KöppenKöppen climate classification
The Köppen climate classification is one of the most widely used climate classification systems. It was first published by Crimea German climatologist Wladimir Köppen in 1884, with several later modifications by Köppen himself, notably in 1918 and 1936...
Aw), and as it lies near the equator, temperatures are hot year-round. However, little rain falls from November to March, which is also the time of the year with the hottest maximum temperatures, reaching 38 °C (100.4 °F) in February. From April to May upwards of 100 millimetres (3.9 in) rain falls per month. The annual total precipitation is 1000 millimetres (39.4 in).
People from Juba
- Independent Alphanes, first child born in South SudanSouth SudanSouth Sudan , officially the Republic of South Sudan, is a landlocked country located in the Sahel region of northeastern Africa. It is also part of the North Africa UN sub-region. Its current capital is Juba, which is also its largest city; the capital city is planned to be moved to the more...
after its independence.
Cost of living
Due to the large NGO presence and the need for many goods to be imported from Uganda or other neighbouring countries, Juba has gained a reputation as having a high cost of living for expatriates. The costs of goods and services are regularly double the price found in KampalaKampala
Kampala is the largest city and capital of Uganda. The city is divided into five boroughs that oversee local planning: Kampala Central Division, Kawempe Division, Makindye Division, Nakawa Division and Lubaga Division. The city is coterminous with Kampala District.-History: of Buganda, had chosen...
.
See also
- EquatoriaEquatoriaEquatoria is a region in the south of present-day South Sudan along the upper reaches of the White Nile. Originally a province of Egypt, it also contained most of Northern part of present day Uganda including Albert Lake...
- Eastern Equatoria
- Central EquatoriaCentral Equatoria-Government:Executive*Governor - Maj. Gen. Clement Wani Konga*Deputy Governor and Minister of Education, Science and Technology - Mr. Manase Lomole Waya *Minister of Education - Lokulenge Lole Lokule...
- Western Equatoria
- Lainya County
- Railway stations in South SudanRailway stations in South SudanAll railway stations in South Sudan are on the Babonasa-Wau line, which was built from 1959 to 1962. During the Second Sudanese Civil War, the line was badly damaged and parts of the line were mined, but with help from United Nations funds it was fully restored in 2010-Babanusa - Wau line:- Maps :*...
- Yei, South Sudan
- St Peters Church Yondoru
- South SudanSouth SudanSouth Sudan , officially the Republic of South Sudan, is a landlocked country located in the Sahel region of northeastern Africa. It is also part of the North Africa UN sub-region. Its current capital is Juba, which is also its largest city; the capital city is planned to be moved to the more...
- Gulu-Nimule RoadGulu-Nimule RoadGulu-Nimule Road is a road in Northern Uganda, connecting the city of Gulu in Gulu District and the town of Nimule in Eastern Equatoria State, in South Sudan, just north of the International border between the two countries...
- Juba AirportJuba AirportJuba Airport is the main airport in Juba, South Sudan.-Location:The airport is located in the capital city of Juba, South Sudan. The airport lies to the northeast of the Central business district of the city, on the western banks of the White Nile....
External links
- Equatorians Abroad
- Fisher, J. 2005, 'Southern Sudan's Front-line Town', BBC News, 20 April 2005.
- Holt, K. 2007, 'In pictures: Juba's Street Struggle', BBC News, 4 January 2007.
- Sudan And Uganda Sign MoU To Develop Infrastructure
- 'Gulu-Juba rail link underway'
- 'South Sudan Internet radio'
- World's Newest Nation would Start Almost from Scratch – article & video by McClatchyThe McClatchy CompanyThe McClatchy Company is a publicly traded American publishing company based in Sacramento, California. It operates 30 daily newspapers in 15 states and has an average weekday circulation of 2.2 million and Sunday circulation of 2.8 million...
- Profile of The City of Juba