The Death of a County in Upper Nile State

Akoka County was established by Gatluak Deng just to stare up the Dinka-Shilluk conflict. This county was created by provisional degree without going through the usual procedures of the Legislative Assembly approval or approval from Juba. Another similar county created on dubious bases like Akoka is Pigi County on Shilluk ground. It was established on the orders of Salva Kiir just to please Dinka of Khor Fulus and Atar Ardeb. These two counties are a thorn in Shilluk flesh. Akoka County was to grab eastern parts of Fashoda while Pigi County was to take over Shilluk villages of Obang, Ogod and Athidhang. History is very clear on these plans of land grabbing.

This leads to the subject of the death of a county. The county in question is Makal. Many attempts were made in the past by Dinka to claim Malakal town. Even they objected when the name of the county was changed to Makal. This hidden agenda came to surface during the CPA celebration in January 2009. It was followed by other incidences like Pigi, Atar and Binythiang consequently. There are many Shilluk Youth carrying arms to-day because of their land has been taken by others. SPLM government in Juba is playing it down as if it means nothing to them.

The plan against the Shilluk is ongoing when the governor abolished Makal County and appointing his half brother as Mayor of Malakal Town with the help of Shilluk MPs of SPLM and especially the renowned SPLM Member of Central Constituency who accepted the bribe of 40,000 SSP and voted to hand over the town to Nuer domination.

The gentle-men mentioned are squarely responsible for the death of Makal County in which things will never be the same again. Their children-children will never enjoy the fruits of their mother-land as the land will be occupied by others. This central Malakal town constituency SPLM member could have been blinded by the bribe of the money which was given to the governor. He confirmed the death of the county with his vote in the parliament and residual rights was officiate by the high priest of Voodoo SPLM religion the right honorable governor of the state.

Now, what next? What is the way forward? There is nothing that could be done. The said Shilluk SPLM gentle-men are living in the state of guilt and fear, especially when a SPLM Shilluk youth called Nyago Majok from Dolieb Hill village died yesterday of inflicted wounds when he was accused by these gentle-men to the SPLA. He got arrested, beaten and never survived again. The late was a SPLM Youth Member and graduate of Public Health a rare discipline for a Shilluk. He was lured into the office of the Minister of Health and got arrested by security of the governor. He was taken to governor's house where he has a container used to detain those he dislikek. He was later handed over to SPLA and got torture for several days. He did not leave thereafter. According to the mother of the late, she approached the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs who refused to adhere to her plea for the release of her late son.

The County have been put into rest. It will be a matter of time that the remaining Payams of Lelo and Ogodo will be annex to Panyikango County. It is worth noting that Malakal town was once part of Tonga Administrative Unit.

In conclusion, the death of Makal County was brought about by the Shilluk themselves. The blame will squarely fall on the Shilluk SPLM MPs and on top is the member of central Malakal constituency. These people should know the Arabic proverb "That who dig a pit for this brother, he, himself will fall into that pit". It is all the Shilluk who have been humiliated by the act of few who think they own SPLM.

Yorwin Otor is an economist and free-lance journalist and leaves in Rome, Italy and can be reach at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.