Selfish political decisions have detrimental effects on the Collo Society

Shilluk People (Image Credit: Alamy Stock Photo)

By Jwothab Othow

February 23, 2025

The Collo people need to recognize and let go of the unproductive political divisions within their community as it poses a threat to their unity of purpose. Collaborative efforts are required from the Collo society to lessen the impact of these political divisions that have long separated the community. Other ethnic groups in South Sudan, who are familiar with the Collo community, are amazed by the presence of highly intelligent individuals within the Collo community. They question how a community with such intellectual giants could allow themselves to be swayed by some members driven by personal political ambitions and greed. The article “Shilluk Kingdom: The Monarchy Belittled and Betrayed by its own Sons,” written by a Dinka individual named Mayak Deng Aruie a decade ago, exemplifies how the Collo society has caused suffering for themselves due to their own decisions. It is clear that much of this suffering could have been prevented. It is foolish for a society to follow leaders who are only concerned about their personal gain and are willing to betray their community for their own interests.

This Dinka man named Mayak Deng Aruei made a controversial statement ten years ago, suggesting that the Shilluk Kingdom would not find peace if it leaders continued to pursue military and political power. The Collo society needed to acknowledge its shortcomings that had led to their current suffering due to poor political decisions driven by personal interests rather than the well-being of the community. Mayak Deng Aruei has highlighted that Gen. Johnson Olony, who previously led many young Collo men in armed conflicts, has now shifted his focus to political ambitions. This shift has left the Collo youth who lost their lives fighting for their land feeling unappreciated and disregarded. We mourn the tragic loss of Major General James Bwogo Olew and 14 other Collo officers who were brutally ambushed by Padang Dinka militias on April 1, 2015. It is disheartening to see some Collo leaders prioritizing their own political interests over the genuine struggle for Collo land, including Gen. Johnson Olony’s apparent alignment with President Kiir’s administration, despite the betrayal they experienced in 2015 during the Lul ambush.

President Salva Kiir has persistently caused suffering for the Collo people by collaborating with heartless political opportunists from the Collo community. This has led to ongoing violence in Upper Nile region, particularly between the Dinka and Collo groups. The ambush in Lul in 2015 by Padang Dinka militias is not an isolated incident but rather part of a larger scheme involving elements within Kiir’s administration supplying weapons to Dinka militias in Upper Nile to instill fear in the Collo community. Once again, Kiir is attempting to utilize Gen Olony to carry out his plans for forceful disarmament in Nasir and other parts of South Sudan. The Collo community needs to understand the rationale behind President Kiir’s decision.

Many communities in South Sudan are heavily armed due to Kiir’s regime failing to protect its citizens. While supporting civilian disarmament, the regime must prioritize ensuring people’s security and allowing them to reclaim their lands, especially those displaced from their ancestral territories. Kiir’s strategy appears to sow conflict between the Nuer and Collo communities by appointing Gen Olony, a Collo leader, to lead the disarmament in Nuer territory. This move could incite the Nuer White Army against the Collo, as seen in 2014 and 2022. The Collo community must act wisely to prevent Gen Olony from victimizing them again. It is crucial for South Sudan’s citizens to comprehend the reasoning behind Kiir’s forceful disarmament in Nasir. Kiir’s rise to power in South Sudan following Dr. John Garang’s death in 2005 through a helicopter crash and he has never been elected by the people of South Sudan as a president since South Sudan gained its independence in 2011. Kiir knows well that he might not win a fair and free election in South Sudan if election is conduct. Therefore, Kiir’s grasp of power relies on authoritarian rule, perpetuation of war, and violence to justify postponing democratic elections.

The Collo people’s perception of superiority over other ethnic groups in South Sudan is based on false beliefs, as the reality of their situation reveals that some of the suffering they endure is a result of selfish political decisions made by their own leaders. There is a concept of pluralistic ignorance within Collo society, where a mass of Collo individuals support leaders who prioritize their personal interests over the welfare of the community. For instance, during the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in South Sudan in 2005, it became evident that Collo was politically divided.

I partially agree with Ustaz Augustine Francis Jago’s observation that Collo was politically fragmented into various camps in 2005, leading to weak leadership and division within the community that persists to this day. These political divisions have further fractured the Collo community, weakening its political stance and potentially endangering its societal structure. It is crucial for the Collo people to change their mindset to avert this existential threat in South Sudan. Despite potential disagreement from some Collo members, it is essential to acknowledge that the current challenges facing the community stem from self-serving behavior and a lack of unity among Collo elites, hindering progress. It is imperative for Collo individuals to carefully select leaders committed to advancing the collective interests of the community, prioritizing unity, common goals, and the protection of Collo interests. Learning from past mistakes, Collo must choose leaders who genuinely serve the community’s interests, avoiding those who betray their trust. It is time for the Collo community to discern and support leaders who prioritize their welfare, rather than blindly following those who neglect their needs. May the Collo Kingdom be blessed with wise choices and unity.

May God bless the Collo Kingdom!

Best regards,

Jwothab Othow