Post-Jonglei planning in southern Sudan: combining environment with development

Abstract

In 2008, the Sudanese and Egyptian governments decided to resume work on the Jonglei Canal project, which had been abandoned for 24 years. This project in southern Sudan plans to by-pass, and thus drain, part of the wetlands of the Bahr al-Jabal and Bahr az-Zaraf rivers into the White Nile. While this would increase the Nile waters flowing northwards, it would almost inevitably have negative side-effects on the local, and maybe the regional, environment. The canal's benefits would be shared by Egypt and the Sudan, but with the expected damage falling on southern Sudan. The canal project, launched in 1978, was brought to a halt by rebels in 1984, and the moves to revive it began after the peace agreement of January 2005. This paper argues against the implementation of the project until it is justified by reliable scientific evidence. It outlines the nature of the project, the disputes around its implementation and the advantages and probable hazards of the project. It also argues for regional development in southern Sudan that recognizes the wetlands as a valuable resource and protects the ecosystem.