On September 28, 2013, the National Assembly of Sebelsti signed in a motion to transfer the executive and legislative powers from the city of Nakoof to the planned capital city of Port Sebelsti. Since 2003, the city of Port Sebelsti had been under construction and by 2007, many government offices were relocated to the city. However, due to the 2010 financial crisis, the official move was postponed to 2013, marking 10 years since the project began.[1]. It was authorized by Law 2008/63, which was set to go into effect by 2010, however, because of logistical issues, despite the capital being completed, the transfer happened in 2013. Law 2008/63 was originally passed by the Chamber of Deputies, but rejected by the Senate of Sebelsti, however, it was overridden by the president In 2009, and was passed anyway at the recommendation of the Cabinet.
Background
Transfer
On the night of September 28, 2013, multiple airlift flights were transported from Nakoof International Airport to a temporary airstrip near the new capital. The airstrip was demolished in January 2014. These flights were carrying supplies, documents, and equipment from offices in Nakoof. Some ministries were moved to Port Sebelsti, whereas 51% of all of the ministries remain in Nakoof. On September 29, multiple trucks were moving more supplies to the new capital. The transfer continued to occur until October 15, when most materials had been moved. However, the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Finance took until November 23, 2013 to be moved. The night of November 29, 2013, Law 2008/63 was signed by the Prime Minister and President of Sebelsti, officially making Port Sebelsti the executive and legislative capital of the Democratic Republic of Sebelsti, while Nakoof remained the administrative and judicial capital.
- ↑ The executive branch moved to the city in 2006-2007, as well as many key government departments, but the official transition wasn’t made until 2013.