Author: Michael Daniel | Published: 9 hours ago
Finance and Planning Minister Hon. Dr. Bak Barnaba Chol with Dr Augustino Ting Mayai, Director General, National Bureau of Statistics, met with a delegation from the Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD) on Thursday, January 29, 2026. Credit: Department of Communication-MoFP
JUBA, South Sudan (Eye Radio) — South Sudan is poised to advance its national development planning through enhanced satellite data research and geospatial innovation following a high-level meeting with the Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD).
The delegation, led by Patrick Mwalula Mucheleka—Zambia’s Permanent Secretary for Lands and Natural Resources—met with the Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. Bak Barnaba Chol, to solidify cooperation between the intergovernmental body and the Republic of South Sudan.
As a resource-intensive nation, South Sudan stands to gain critical technical support in managing its land and natural assets.
The RCMRD, established under the UN and African Union, provides member states with high-tech tools in remote sensing and GIS to monitor agriculture and climate change, and then satellite data for precise mapping of mineral and water resources, as well as disaster risk reduction to predict and manage floods or droughts.
Dr. Augustino Ting Mayai, Director General of the National Bureau of Statistics, emphasized that the partnership is already yielding results.
South Sudanese professionals have been actively participating in technical training, including current programs focused on biodiversity.
“Part of how South Sudan benefits is that we are a natural resource-intensive country,” Dr. Mayai stated. “This institution maps these resources and provides essential information. We are active not just in decision-making, but also in direct technical benefits.”
Speaking on behalf of the RCMRD, Mr. Mucheleka noted that regional cooperation is vital for preserving Africa’s natural biodiversity.
He highlighted that while the center offers expertise, success depends on member states meeting their financial obligations to ensure the institution remains strong and capable of providing cutting-edge services.
South Sudan joined the RCMRD to align with 20 other Eastern and Southern African nations in modernizing land administration and resource governance. This engagement marks a strategic step toward data-driven governance and sustainable economic planning for the country.
