Yei
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| Yei | |
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  Yei
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| Coordinates: | |
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| Country |  Sudan |
| State | Central Equatoria |
| Population (2005) | |
| - Total | 40,382 |
Yei is a city in the central south of Sudan and a local headquarters of the SPLA for Central Equatoria state, formerly part of the province of Equatoria. The name Yei was born out of the city's proximity to the river Yei where in 1915 a small clinic was set up by British missionaries. The city dwellers prefer to call it small London because of its cosmopolitan nature.
Before civil war broke out in 1983, Yei was a booming town because of its proximity to the Ugandan and Congolese borders. To get into the inner part of south Sudan, most trade had to pass through the town. The result was that it became a booming metropolis with many bars, shops and hotels. Civil servants and other high ranking government officials located in Juba, 100 miles to the east, found it a convenient get-away place during weekends and long holidays, hence the moniker "small London."
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[edit] History
Yei was located in the embattled region of the Second Sudanese Civil War and was conquered on 10 March 1997 by the SPLA.
[edit] Demographics
Yei has 40,382 inhabitants (2005).
Population growth:
| year | inhabitants |
|---|---|
| 1983 (census) | 23,419 |
| 2005 (calculation) | 40,382 |
[edit] Economy
Because of the civil war, the city's infrastructure, trade and industry are poorly developed. But with the signing of a peace-agreement between the Sudanese government in Khartoum and the SPLA there are the first signs of economic recovery.
The road between Yei and Kaya, on the Ugandan border, has been repaired. It was financed by HABITAT and WFP. With the improvements the travel time to Kaya was reduced from five hours to one.
The city is surrounded by lush farmlands and coffee and cassava are among some of the commodities grown outside the city. Yei's proximity to the border with the DRC and Uganda ensures that the business potential of Yei is immense.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Gurtong Peace Project with information about South Sudan
- Video of Yei, Near the Town Center - a short car trip through the town center on the way to the prison, August, 2006.
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