It follows a series of calls within South Sudan's government to restart the project in order to prevent flooding and improve the region's infrastructure. Earlier this year, one of South Sudan's vice presidents, Taban Deng Gai, called for the resumption of the canal project in order to prevent flood disasters in Jonglei and Unity state. Meanwhile, Nile basin countries are experiencing water scarcity due to the impacts of rapid population growth and climate change, creating renewed interest in the canal project. An environmental and social impact assessment warned that the canal project would "irreversibly or partially destroy downstream ecosystems." "The current calls for the resumption of the Jonglei Canal project demonstrate a failure to observe and learn from the global trend of water management challenges compounded by global warming," said Majok.

Source: Ethiopian News May 22, 2022 08:38 UTC