The Jonglei Canal Project: South Sudan Students’ Protest, 1974

Abstract

In the northern part of South Sudan, due to the flatness of the terrain, the flow of the White Nile has been greatly slowed down resulting in the formation of vast swamps called sudd (barrier) in Arabic. The Dinka, Nuer and the Shilluk refer to this flood plain as toich. It is central to their livelihoods. In 1974 Egypt and Sudan agreed to construct a canal to divert the water of the White Nile away from the sudd area. This canal, referred to as the Jonglei Canal, was to run between Bor and Sobat River. Many people in South Sudan were opposed to the construction of this canal. Using rumours, they mobilized students to oppose the construction of the canal through strikes which resulted unfortunately in the killing of two students, closure of schools, and arrests or exiling of some politicians.