The Heart of Collo: A Fight for Land, Unity, and Self-Rule

By Jwothab Othow

May 30, 2025

This work contributes to my ongoing efforts to raise awareness among my people and to galvanize action in the face of an existential threat to the Collo Kingdom and its citizens. I hope this message reaches receptive ears, inspiring future generations of Collo to analyze its concepts and use them for future benefit. I’ll focus on three key areas: the fight for ancestral lands, unity of purpose, and the quest for self-rule. For centuries, Collo kings sacrificed their lives defending their people and land. Nyikang, their cultural hero and founder, shaped their destiny, believing in the inherent dignity and equality of all, with inalienable rights to freedom, justice, and respect. His political system stemmed from ancient Luo nation’s concepts, preceding their migration south along the Nile. Nyikang remains a foundational figure for the Luo, revered as ancestral hero and founder. The Collo is third large Nilotic group in South Sudan, live on both banks of the Upper Nile.

Nyikango, a central figure in early Luo migration, is revered as their spiritual father and founder. The Reth, the Collo’s unifying leader, holds a divine status, offering sacrifices for rain, victory, and prosperity. The highly organized Collo significantly impacted Sudanese history among Nilotic groups. Even now, many Luo, both inside and outside South Sudan, honor Nyikango as their founding father, guiding them through adversity. Reth Nyikango, a notable Collo leader, saw his kingdom challenged by Turko-Egyptian expansion, the slave trade, and the Mahdist regime. Yet, the Collo Kingdom endures under His Majesty Reth Kwongo Dak Padiet. Nyikango’s unwavering pursuit of an independent black African nation, free from external influence, continues to inspire. Therefore, it falls to the current generation of Collo to defend their centuries-old kingdom against destructive forces. These guiding principles, and their unique way of life, create a strong foundation for Collo unity, centered on their king as its symbol. Collo people share a distinct culture and civilization, shaping their lives. Their culture promotes peace and equality, discouraging class distinctions, except for His Majesty, who embodies Collo unity.

Since South Sudan’s 2011 independence, Juba’s ethnocentric government has systematically excluded the Collo people from power. This culminated in late 2022 atrocities, where hundreds of Collo civilians—mostly women, children, and the elderly—were massacred by the Nuer White Army, linked to the SPLM-IO and First Vice President Riek Machar. South Sudan’s policies illegally seize Collo land, marginalizing the Collo Kingdom politically and economically. Their fight for land rights is a fight for survival and dignity, demanding unity to succeed. Protecting our ancestral lands and culture is every Collo’s duty; our kingdom was built by those who sacrificed for peace and stability. Defending our land is our right, a right we must defend, even with our lives.

 We Collo have a moral duty to protect our ancestral lands. This land should unite us, fueling our fight against Padang Dinka’s illegal occupation. Reclaiming it is our shared goal, transcending all other divisions. We must reject divisive politics and internal strife; some among us betray our cause, weakening our community. Political differences are healthy, but shouldn’t fracture us. Let’s not treat fellow Collo with differing views as enemies. Therefore, unity of purpose is vital. What is it? It’s establishing shared goals. Working together, pooling resources and expertise increases our chances of success. For survival, we need this unity, focusing on land, livelihood, and the safety of our people. Through unity, we can rebuild and emerge stronger.

Unity of purpose will come because of having a common objective due the current existential threat against the Collo in South Sudan, and the Collo must stand their ground together in a unity of purpose to defend their ancestral land and prevent the physical extinction of the Collo in South Sudan. It will bring people together and lead to a more promising future for the Collo in South Sudan. If the Collo as a people are to survive and preserve their kingdom (which is under threat already by external forces), it is time for us to unite. Together, we can redefine the role of the Collo as a people in the current political environment in South Sudan as well as decide on objectives for the future survival of the Collo.

Informed citizens of Collo, who are not biased but who are interested in bringing the Collo together and in advancing the interests of the Collo Kingdom and its people, must pursue the Unity of Purpose among the Collo. For the welfare of the Collo people, it is also time for Collo leaders to rise, resolve the differences dividing the community, and ensure the Unity of Purpose agenda’s acceptance across the Collo community. To preserve a sense of unity among the Collo, we must oppose and reject presenting a negative view of other Collo, character assassination, and hostile propaganda because they foster harmful division among the Collo. The Collo must refrain from our current self-destructive politics because it is destroying our bond as Collo and the social fabric of our society.

It is important for the Collo’s security, to ensure the protection of the Collo kingdom and people, to maintain our values and cultural heritage and provide prosperity for the Collo Kingdom and its people. Collo land’s plight should unite the Collo people and galvanize their fight against Padang Dinka’s illegal occupation. This shared struggle is the only way to achieve our common goal of reclaiming our ancestral land. Preserving Nyikang’s legacy is our duty; failure to unite would be a disgrace. Since the 2005 CPA and South Sudan’s independence, the government has violated Collo rights, abused human rights, and perpetrated injustices against our people and land. Massacres in Malakal and other Collo areas in 2013, 2014, and 2022 culminated the assaults on our ethnicity. In South Sudan’s highly politicized, ethnically based system, federalism is the only path to Collo autonomy. Granting the Collo special autonomous status is the best solution to resolve the land dispute with our neighbors.

In support of my claim that the Collo Kingdom should strive for autonomy. Here are some examples to support my argument. The United States operates under a federal system, dividing power between the national government and individual state governments. As U.S. citizens, Puerto Ricans travel freely between the mainland and the island. The US Congress used the federal system as a model when it granted Puerto Rico autonomy in 1952. Latin America’s path to self-governance is especially fascinating, particularly the standards implemented and unique developments encountered. For example, several countries have constitutionally acknowledged the unique political and autonomous rights of Indigenous and other ethnic groups, including Nicaragua (1987), Colombia (1991), Ecuador (1998 and 2008), Mexico (2001), and Bolivia (2009).

Canada, for instance, granted Nunavut partial autonomy but denied Quebec secession. Similarly, the UK devolved power to Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales in 2001. NATO’s 1999 bombing of Yugoslavia aimed to pressure it into granting Kosovo greater autonomy. The 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights established a global standard for human rights, laying the groundwork for international human rights law. It enshrined fundamental rights and aimed to create a common standard of achievement for all. Autonomy became a crucial concept to counter majoritarian authoritarianism and empower smaller nations and ethnic groups, fulfilling their national pride. The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (2007) guarantees indigenous peoples’ autonomy, including self-determination (Article 3). This establishes their right to determine their political status and pursue their economic, social, and cultural development. The Collo Kingdom existed independently before 1821 and the Sudanese state’s formation. Thus, its self-rule and regional recognition within South Sudan should be prioritized.

A highly decentralized federal system in South Sudan is crucial. This model would guarantee the Collo Kingdom’s right to autonomy within a unified South Sudan. For over five hundred years, the Collo Kingdom governed itself, predating even a self-governing Sudanese state. To protect the Collo Kingdom’s unique culture and rights, autonomy is essential. The Collo possess the will and capacity to achieve this, and we must advocate for their right to self-governance. We sincerely hope this message resonates, urging collective action to defend our dignity, ancestral lands, and unity. Ultimately, our goal is Collo autonomy.

May God bless the Collo Kingdom!

Jwothab Wanh Othow