South Sudan suspends dredging of Nile tributaries

Abandoned Jonglei Canal was approved in the 1970s without the input of the people of South Sudan, leading to unrest. FILE PHOTO | AFP

South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardiit has suspended all dredging activities on Nile tributaries following opposition within his government, environmentalists and activists over the deal with Egypt.

Mr Kiir’s order put to end weeks of public debate sparked by the arrival a month ago of a 21-truck convoy from Cairo with dredging equipment, which brought to light the agreement signed in April last year.