Ramciel
title: "Ramciel" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["populated-places-in-lakes-state", "planned-capitals", "government-of-south-sudan"] topic_path: "general/populated-places-in-lakes-state" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramciel" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::data[format=table title="Infobox settlement"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | |
| native_name_lang | |
| pushpin_map | South Sudan |
| pushpin_label_position | Map of South Sudan showing the location of Ramciel. |
| mapsize | 300px |
| coordinates | |
| subdivision_type | Country |
| subdivision_name | South Sudan |
| subdivision_type1 | State |
| subdivision_name1 | Lakes State |
| subdivision_type2 | County |
| subdivision_name2 | Awerial County |
| subdivision_type3 | Abuyung Payam |
| subdivision_name3 | Makur Boma |
| unit_pref | Metric |
| population_density_km2 | auto |
| timezone1 | +2 (CAT) |
| website | |
| :: |
| name = Ramciel | native_name = | native_name_lang = | settlement_type = | image_skyline = | image_alt = | image_caption = | image_flag = | flag_alt = | image_seal = | seal_alt = | image_shield = | shield_alt = | nickname = | motto = | mottoeng = | image_map = | map_alt = | map_caption = | pushpin_map = South Sudan | pushpin_label_position = Map of South Sudan showing the location of Ramciel. | mapsize = 300px | pushpin_map_alt = | pushpin_map_caption = | coordinates = | coor_pinpoint = | coordinates_footnotes = | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = South Sudan | subdivision_type1 = State | subdivision_name1 = Lakes State | subdivision_type2 = County | subdivision_name2 = Awerial County | subdivision_type3 = Abuyung Payam | subdivision_name3 = Makur Boma | established_title = | established_date = | founder = | seat_type = | seat = | government_footnotes = | leader_party = | leader_title = | leader_name = | unit_pref = Metric | area_footnotes = | area_total_km2 = | area_land_km2 = | area_water_km2 = | area_water_percent = | area_note = | elevation_footnotes = | elevation_m = | population_footnotes = | population_total = | population_as_of = | population_density_km2 = auto | population_demonym = | population_note = | timezone1 = +2 (CAT) | utc_offset1 = | timezone1_DST = | utc_offset1_DST = | postal_code_type = | postal_code = | area_code_type = | area_code = | iso_code = | website = | footnotes = | official_name = Ramciel is located in Yirol East County, in Lakes States, in the Bahr el Ghazal region of South Sudan. It has been proposed to be the future national capital.
Geography
Ramciel is about 250 km north of Juba. There is currently no tarmacked road between Juba and Ramciel, but it is estimated that it will take under three hours to travel on a rough road to Juba. Under ideal conditions, it would also probably take about three hours to travel to Rumbek and up to six hours to Wau from Ramciel.
The largest grass swamp in the world, the Sudd, lies in the middle of Greater Bahr el Ghazal and Greater Upper Nile, thus making direct road communications between towns located at the opposite four corners of the Sudd practically impossible; thus the need to go around the swamp, which currently makes both Malakal and Bentiu inaccessible by road from the south and west in the wet season from June to November.
The inhabitants of Ramciel are mainly Aliab Dinka. Ramciel is located in the territory of [[Awerial County|Makur Boma of Abuyung Payam, Awerial county]], Lakes State. The land is used for grazing and cultivation during the dry season and in the Nile marshes during the wet season. There are conflicting reports over its suitability for large-scale construction, with some characterizing the area as woodland & grassland, and others contending that the rocky highlands can support a major city if one were to be built there.
National capital proposal
In early February 2011, what was then the Autonomous Government of Southern Sudan adopted a resolution to find a new capital for South Sudan. Ramciel was one of the two proposed locations for the site. Lakes Governor Chol Tong Mayay visited Ramciel later in the month to raise attention for its bid to be the site of the new capital. "The late Dr John Garang promised to build Ramciel as the capital of South Sudan and having it here will be a dream come true." Just prior to South Sudanese independence in July 2011, a government spokesman confirmed the federal government of the country was still considering building a new capital at Ramciel. On 2 September, the federal cabinet voted to designate Ramciel as the site for a planned city, to be demarcated from Lakes State.
Vice President Riek Machar said in mid-December 2011 that the government of South Sudan is planning to build a major international airport in a free trade zone to be established in Tali Payam of Terkeka County which borders Awerial (Aliab) County on the South West approximately 50 km away from Ramciel. Machar suggested that this airport could handle traffic from large cargo planes for which other regional airports are not designed, an asset that would be vital to realising Machar's vision for South Sudan to become a trade hub in the center of the African continent. Machar also visited Kenisa (Panhom) where port is intended to be constructed.
Building progress has lagged official estimates, and satellite imagery shows practically no building. However, there was progress reported on the planning process: a contract was awarded in 2012 to conduct a survey and feasibility study of the site. The proposed area has been visited multiple times by Vice President Riek Machar.
References
References
- "What and Where is Ramciel?". Gurtong.
- (6 February 2011). "South Sudan to establish a new capital city and relocate from Juba after independence".
- (15 February 2011). "Lakes Leaders Visit Prospective South Sudanese Capital".
- Christie, Sean. (8 July 2011). "South Sudan brushes fear aside".
- (14 December 2011). "Regional Plan to Make South Sudan the 'Hub' of Sea Ports Shipments in Continent Underway".
- "Mystery Surrounds New Capital in World's Youngest Country". Newsweek.
- (5 April 2012). "Survey of new South Sudan capital Ramciel to complete in six months". Sudan Tribune.
- (2012-04-08). "Machar inspects new South Sudan's proposed capital". [[Sudan Tribune]].
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