Akoka Dinka Militia Provocative Attack on Shilluk

Shilluk soldiers were renovating a bridge on subsidiary road at Nyigar linking Lul with Malakal. The road is short cut that can be used for communication during the rainy season on the east bank of the Nile. On the night of 27th March 2015, the Dinka Militia under the command of the son of late chief of Thonwai and commissioner of Akoka County mounted an attack on these Shilluk soldiers at about 4:00 am in the morning while they were still sleeping.

The Dinka Militia was fully prepared for full scale war against the Collo. This was revealed in a telephone conversation between Commissioner of Fashoda County and that of Akoka County. The later acknowledged they attack Collo because they had prior information that they were going to be attacked.

The son of late chief Thonwai was a wild-life officer on Malakal. He led a war between Collo and Dinka in Anangdair in 2009. Later he moved to become SPLA Officer and posted to SPLA Division 7 in Warijwok. Here he murdered many Collo who came by boat from and to Malakal. Later he went to Juba was posted to become Akoka Dinka Militia commander. He was being supported by Police Genral Sabari a Dinka from Akoka who previously commanded this militia during the war and was fighting against SPLA.

Melut-Malakal road became a death road for Collo to use. Many Collo lost their lives when using the road. The most known one is the son of late Luigi Adwok who went missing at Akoka. A boat carrying passengers was once stopped at Benythiang all them put into a container. Luckily enough one person had a mobile and was able to phone a relative Malakal. The person informed the authorities and a contingent of SPLA was dispatched and these people were released. Juba knows all these crimes committed on this road but a blind eye.

This attack on Shilluk soldiers manning the bridge was not an individual decision. Many people were involved in the plot namely Governor Simon Kun Pouch Petroleum Minister Stephen Diew, Gen. Johnson Gony and Finance Minister Ayong Aware. These mentioned people formed Dinka Militia which they sometimes called Petroleum guards. How come militia can be recruited to defend oil fields a national wealth? The governor wants Collo and Dinka to clash to allow Nuer to have upper hand in this war while Dinka Ministers were guided by Dinka policy that east bank of the Nile is theirs. Akoka County was created by Later Governor Gatluak Deng through campaign by Dok Dok former Deputy Governor and A Dinka from Renk to become a thorn in Shilluk flash.

Jieng Committee of Elders (Joshua Dewal an Atar Dinka) and Dinka SPLA in Juba have now come to conclusion that the purpose of using Collo soldiers to fight Nuer on their behalf is now over. Nuer strength has been weakened with involvement of Collo soldiers and they must be disarmed before Dinka and Nuer before peace agreement could be signed in Addis Ababa soon. This is the beginning of new strategy with Akoka attack. During, Wadakona Liberation war against the rebels, Gen. Johnson Olony Vehicle was shot at by White Dinka Army in Renk. It is a clear policy to eliminate Collo Military leadership.

The unprovoked attack was devastating on Collo Community at large. Seven soldiers at the bridge were wounded and taken to Kodak for treatment. Gen James Bwogo Olew deputy to Gen Johnson Olony who heading to the location of fight on a fact finding mission was ambushed on the way and defuse tension.

He was in a pick-up vehicle with his body guards thirteen in number. When they ambushed, they were dragged into nearly bush, laid now all of them shot in cold blood in the head an indication that there was no resistance. They were found in one place and their properties including the vehicle taken.

In addition the persons killed, two Shilluk drivers taking food to Rom were abducted by Dinka Militias and their where about are not known up to now.

Collo soldiers were ordered by Juba not retaliate against the Dinka before an investigation could be send. Up to now no team arrived from Juba. These are delaying tactics to let Dinka arm them-selves and prepare for an all offensive war on Malakal soon.

Collo soldiers should be vigilant and patient for the fact finding team to come from Juba. The Dinka SPLA think they were the ones who supplied weapons to Collo to fight. Let Collo Soldiers wait for things to unfold and which direction.