South Sudan’s National Archives are exposed to the elements, termites, and other pests.
South Sudan archives face growing threat of termites and pests
Historical documents that have been salvaged by a team of archivists from around the new country are facing new threats. Archivist Yusef Fulgensio Onyalla oversees the collection of documents which include a wide range of subjects like maps, magazine subscriptions from during British rule, constitutions, and even cases of suspected witchcraft.
Most documents have all been exposed to previous elements: rain, bats, and cockroaches. But as the National Archives of South Sudan sit in a white tent besides a busy street.
Where termites once munched
Despite being under the control of the team of archivists, the documents, which can help establish the history of South Sudan, continue to face further damage and deterioration. Termites have infested the stacks, and the team had to spray termiticide in order to kill the termite infestation. Now, rats continue to shred the paper as they seek shelter in the musty tomes.
Where termites once munched, nesting rats are now shredding.
Unfortunately, due to politics and a shortage of funds, the project will continue to stagger. Archivists labor to ensure everything is scanned and organized. Even as the nation struggles to ensure the foundation of government is laid, archivists hope their efforts can encourage legislation on record keeping.
Meanwhile, the stacks of papers sit waiting further infestation where pests can exact a termite treatment cost far beyond the financial, but of a historical significance.
