Juba history

The history of Juba, the capital of South Sudan, is relatively short but eventful. The city emerged in the 20th century and rapidly transformed from a small trading settlement into the administrative centre of a young nation.

Foundation and Early Years

Modern Juba was founded in 1922. Its founders were a small group of Greek merchants who appreciated the strategic location on the western bank of the White Nile river. Initially, the settlement functioned as a trading post. In the 19th century, a trading post and the Gondokoro mission already existed nearby, serving as an important transit point for explorers and traders. However, over time, it was Juba that became the centre of regional activity.

Key Factors of Formation

The growth and development of the city were driven by several key factors:

• Geographical Location: Its location on the banks of the White Nile made Juba the southern point of river navigation, which facilitated the development of trade and transport links with northern regions.
• Trade and Transport: The city became a vital transport hub linking river routes with land roads leading to Kenya and Uganda. This strengthened its status as a key commercial centre of the region.
• Political Role: In 1947, an important agreement on the unification of northern and southern Sudan was signed in Juba. Later, the city became the administrative centre of the southern provinces, and in 2011, after the country gained independence, it was proclaimed the capital of South Sudan.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

In the early stages of its existence, Juba was a small settlement with life centred around trade and the river port. The economy was based on the exchange of goods, and the population consisted of the local Bari people, as well as merchants and administrative staff. With the acquisition of capital status, the city began to develop actively, attracting investments and becoming the centre of the country's political and cultural life.

Key Dates in the History of Juba

The history of Juba is a chronicle of rapid growth from a small trading post to the capital of one of the world's youngest nations. Below are the main milestones in the city's development.

• 1922 — Greek merchants found modern Juba on the western bank of the White Nile as a trading post.
• 1947 — The historic Juba Conference takes place, where an agreement is signed to unite the northern and southern provinces of Sudan into a single administrative unit.
• 1955 — A mutiny of soldiers in the southern town of Torit, near Juba, marks the beginning of the First Sudanese Civil War, which also affected Juba.
• 1956 — Sudan gains independence, and Juba becomes part of the new state, retaining its status as an important regional centre in the south.
• 1972 — The signing of the Addis Ababa Agreement ends the First Civil War, after which a temporary calm ensues in the southern region, including Juba.
• 1977 — The University of Juba opens in the city, becoming a vital educational centre for the entire southern region.
• 1983 — The beginning of the Second Sudanese Civil War, during which Juba once again finds itself at the centre of a strategic confrontation.
• 2005 — The signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement ends the second civil war, and Juba becomes the administrative centre of the autonomous Government of Southern Sudan.
• 2011 — Following the independence referendum on July 9, South Sudan is proclaimed a sovereign state, and Juba officially becomes its capital.

Stages of Juba's Development: From Trading Post to Capital

The development of Juba is a story of rapid transformation from a small settlement into the political and economic centre of a young state. Key milestones reflect its urban planning, cultural, and economic transformations.

• Establishment as a Trading Hub (1920s): The city was founded in 1922 by Greek merchants as a trading post on the banks of the White Nile. Its strategic location at the southern point of river navigation immediately determined its commercial and transport significance for the entire region.
• Political Formation (1947): The historic conference took place in Juba, where the agreement to unite the southern and northern provinces of Sudan was signed. This event secured the city's status as an important administrative centre.
• Creation of an Educational Hub (1977): The opening of the University of Juba became a crucial cultural and social event. The institution, established in 1975, turned into the country's leading university, laying the foundation for training national personnel.
• Capital of Autonomy (2005): After the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, which ended the second civil war, Juba became the administrative capital of the autonomous Government of Southern Sudan. This status gave a powerful impetus to infrastructure development and the attraction of initial investments.
• Capital of an Independent State (2011): With the proclamation of the independence of the Republic of South Sudan on July 9, 2011, Juba officially became its capital. This triggered rapid population growth, a construction boom, and an influx of international organisations.
• Infrastructural Transformation (post-2011): Active construction of roads, government buildings, hotels, and residential complexes began in the city. Juba International Airport was modernized to accommodate a greater number of flights, strengthening the country's connection with the outside world.
• Formation of an Economic Core: As the capital, Juba transformed into the main financial and business centre of South Sudan. It hosts the headquarters of banks, offices of oil and telecommunications companies, as well as numerous humanitarian missions, shaping the modern face of the urban economy.

The architectural appearance of Juba reflects its short but eventful history as a young capital centre. You will not find Gothic or Renaissance styles here; instead, the city presents a mix of functional structures, modern buildings, and traditional dwellings, testifying to its rapid growth in the 21st century.

Early Period and Colonial Influence

Founded in the 1920s as a trading post, early Juba was not distinguished by complex architecture. The development consisted mainly of simple functional buildings and warehouses necessary for trade. Some structures of that period, erected by Greek merchants, bore features more characteristic of Mediterranean rather than African architecture. The influence of the British colonial period also left its mark, primarily in the form of administrative buildings of a utilitarian character rather than expressive architectural ensembles.

Modern Development After Independence

Major urban planning development in Juba began after 2005 and accelerated significantly after the proclamation of South Sudan's independence in 2011. This period is characterised by a genuine construction boom, which was largely chaotic in nature, driven by the rapid need for housing, offices, and government institutions.

• Functionalism and Modernism: Most new buildings are structures in a utilitarian and modernist style. These include government ministries, offices of international organisations, and banks. The main materials used are concrete, glass, and metal.
• Modern Commercial Buildings: The appearance of modern hotels, such as the Pyramid Continental Hotel, has become a symbol of a new stage in the city's development, demonstrating a striving to create modern capital infrastructure.
• Traditional Housing: Along with modern buildings, traditional dwellings are widespread in the city and on its outskirts. These are round huts (tukuls) made of clay and thatch, which are part of the local architectural heritage.

Iconic Landmarks and Districts

Although there are few historical architectural monuments in Juba, its modern appearance is shaped by several key objects. These include the Government District buildings, the University of Juba, the bridge over the White Nile, as well as religious structures such as the All Saints Cathedral. Urban planning in Juba today is a process of finding a balance between rapid growth, the need for planning, and the preservation of elements of cultural identity.

Prominent Figures Associated with Juba

Juba, as the capital and political centre of South Sudan, is inextricably linked with key figures who determined the course of the country's history. Although many of them were born in other regions, their activities and legacy are concentrated precisely in this city.

John Garang de Mabior (1945–2005)

Founder and Leader of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM), John Garang is considered the founding father of South Sudan. He led the struggle for the autonomy and independence of the south. After signing the peace agreement in 2005, he briefly served as Vice President of Sudan. His tragic death in a plane crash was a national shock. The Mausoleum of John Garang in Juba is one of the most important national monuments and a venue for state ceremonies.

Salva Kiir Mayardit (born 1951)

First and Current President of South Sudan, Salva Kiir succeeded John Garang as the leader of the SPLM. It was he who proclaimed the country's independence on July 9, 2011, in Juba. His rule marked the establishment of state institutions in the capital and defined the political course of the young state. All his political activity as the head of state is centred in Juba.

Riek Machar (born 1952)

Political Figure who served as the first Vice President of South Sudan. Riek Machar is one of the central figures in the country's political life since gaining independence. His participation in political processes, peace negotiations, and the government of national unity is inextricably linked with the capital, Juba, where key decisions about the country's future are made.

Joseph Lagu (born 1931)

Military and Political Leader who led the "Anya Nya" movement during the First Sudanese Civil War. He signed the Addis Ababa Agreement of 1972, which granted autonomy to Southern Sudan. Later, Lagu served as President of the High Executive Council of Southern Sudan and Vice President of Sudan. His activities laid the foundation for future self-governance, the centre of which became Juba. He currently resides in Juba.

Luol Deng (born 1985)

Former NBA Player and President of the South Sudan Basketball Federation. Although Luol Deng was born in another city and built his career in the USA and the UK, he has made a huge contribution to the development of sports and the positive image of his country on the global stage. Becoming president of the federation in 2019, he focused his activities in Juba, facilitating the incredible rise of the national team, which qualified for the Olympic Games for the first time in history.