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Juba, South Sudan

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Location

The Resume

    (1922- )
    Capital and largest city in the Republic of South Sudan
    Functions as the seat and metropolis of Juba County
    Serves as the capital of Central Equatoria, one of the ten states of South Sudan
    Population density (as of 2011) is estimated at 372,410
    Was jointly administered by the United Kingdom and Egypt, as part of Anglo-Egyptian Sudan, until 1956
    Became the world's newest national capital after a formal referendum passed with 99% of the population's support, formally declaring South Sudan its independence from the Republic of the Sudan (Jan. 25, 2011)
    Languages spoken include Bari, English, Dinka, Murle, Nuer, Zande
    Home of the University of Juba (est. 1975)

Why Juba, South Sudan might be annoying:

    It has little to offer tourists.
    Traffic is a nightmare (compounded by the abundance of boda-bodas/privately owned motorbike taxis).
    Armed robberies, car jackings and armed break-ins affecting visitors are extremely common.
    It was only designated as a Capitol seat by the United Nations, who set up OCHA camps there while providing humanitarian relief.
    Some South Sudanese residents have questioned the city's suitability as a national capital.
    Its first Independence Ceremony was marred by security concerns tied to Northern-Southern clashes on the Kordofan border.
    It came as no surprise, therefore, when the South Sudanese government unveiled plans to move the capitol city some 250 km away from Juba to Ramciel, which is situated in the Western lakes region, on which an entirely new city would be constructed (Sept. 5, 2011).
    It shares a name with an alleged sniper involved in the Iraqi Insurgency, between 2005 and 2007, who appeared in several controversial videos.
    Their security forces and police are known for being tense, often very young, reckless drivers, and/or under the influence of alcohol.

Why Juba, South Sudan might not be annoying:

    It started out as a trading post for Greek merchants in Anglo-Egyptian Sudan.
    As such, the city's local architecture is - largely in part - thanks to the Greek traders (the beautiful stone buildings of Ivory Bank, Notos Lounge, Juba's Paradise Hotel, etc.).
    It has experienced an economic boom, since South Sudan's Independence.
    It has a wild and fun nightlife (bars, restaurants, nightspots).
    Its easier to get a cold beer there than in its Northern counterpart cities.
    It has been an active base for Franklin Graham and the Samaritan's Purse's humanitarian aid in Sudan.
    It was the site of the 1947 Juba Conference, which (ironically) resolved to unite North and South Sudan, dashing British hopes to join South Sudan with Uganda.
    It was once a transport hub, with highways connecting Kenya, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
    It was home to Independent Moses Nunuh, first child born in South Sudan after its independence (who, unfortunately, and like many South Sudanese infants, died before his first birthday).
    Thousands gathered at the city to hold an ornate ceremony which included a parade and fireworks; celebrating South Sudan's independence, after a fifty-year struggle and two civil wars which cost millions of lives (Jul. 9, 2011).
    A cargo plane leaving from the city's international airport, en route to the Paloch oil fields in Upper Nile state crashed one half-mile after takeoff, killing over 40 oil workers and their family members. Only an adult and a child survived (Nov. 5, 2015).

Credit: BoyWiththeGreenHair


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 4 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 5 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 12 Votes: 75.00% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 11 Votes: 18.18% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 13 Votes: 46.15% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 8 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 12 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 36 Votes: 77.78% Annoying