Does Greater Mading Aweil need to remain united even after its division into three states?
7 min readKuol K. Alberto Makuach, Juba, South Sudan
June 29, 2016 (SSB) — Mading Aweil, famously known by South Sudanese as Aweil, is home to about 2 million South Sudanese comprising of Dinka, Luo and some elements of Fallata (an Arab offshoot tribe). It is in the far north of Bahr el Ghazal bordering South Darfur to the West and Southern Kordofan to the north.
With the establishment of Civilians Military Administration (CMA) in the early 90s, it was divided into two: Aweil North and West known as Malual tueng/Giernyang and Palieupiny respectively were put together and stayed in Nyamlel as the headquarters of their CMA. Aweil South and East popularly known as Paliet and Abiem respectively were put together and shared their CMA’s headquarters in Wanyjok.
Aweil centre (Aroyo) had some chieftaincies either joined to Nyamlel faction or Wanyjok faction depending on one’s proximity to the headquarters. However, some were administered in Wau. Not Wau town as such but under the jurisdiction of the CMA in WBG.
With this brilliant idea of putting up the civilian administration, it was easy for the SPLA to manage the affairs of Aweil people. There was relative calm among the communities. There was constant interaction between communities, exchange of goods, intermarriages and sharing of social events. This peaceful co-existence even when life was so difficult during the war, led to peace and harmony that could be observed today in the greater Aweil.
When the enemy attacked one administrative area (county), members of that county would run to the other county and were welcome, accommodated and integrated. There was no difficulty in getting adapted to the situation after all they are one people, speaking one language but separated just by these political borders. That attitude cemented the harmony and peaceful coexistence among the people of Aweil.
Few years later, five counties emerged out of the previous two administrative areas. I don’t need to bore my readers mentioning here the counties we all know. These counties were later affirmed by Southern Sudan government after Aweil became a state due to the signing of CPA.
As I write this article, there are thousands of our people who originally belonged to one other county and are currently residing fully integrated in another county where they migrated to willingly or due to forceful displacement which used to happen during the liberation struggle. They are never discriminated against because there is no difference at all among the people. There may be few isolated cases of denying someone a political post, but that could be treated as an isolated case spearheaded by wrong elements within the community which are often strongly discouraged by the leaders.
With that said, let us go back to the genesis of this article which is “does greater Mading Aweil need to remain united after dividing it into three states.” As the readers are aware, the former NBeG was divided into Aweil East State, Aweil State and Lol State (which is the combination of Aweil North and West counties joined with Raja from WBeG). This question is ambiguous as there are many answers that one could deduce depending on one’s assumption of the reasoning behind the question. One understanding could be that, the author is propagating for Aweil to remain a united state rather than accepting the presidential decree. Well, this is not what I mean when I post that question. It is beyond my capacity to undo the presidential decree.
The other inference could be that though divided, the sisterly states could still exist as separate but united in principle just the way NBeG was before the division took place. This is the essence of this article. Now that the idea is narrowed down, it must be stated here at the onset that, the author is perturbed by the call for total disintegration and consideration of these states as completely different from one another by few elements.
There are reports that upon hearing that the former NBeG was dissected into three states, others went into jubilant celebration not because they have got a state of their own bringing services closer to the people, but for having been FREED at last from political domination and marginalization by Aweil East people. Not only did those remain as mere hearsays, but we have seen postings on social media echoing the same reports and urging Aweil East people to now deal with their affairs never to talk about issues from other states.
Inasmuch as one is entitled to his/her own opinion, there is much to this that will follow suit than the mere talks. I see a situation where we will begin to claim and dispute over borders that we did have issues with. I see a situation where we would not stand together in defense of one another should something attack us as we used to. I foresee a situation where the interaction and free movement will be limited and insecurity becomes the lotion for smearing ourselves. Associations will be divided into states and all that you can think of. Indeed, we would never be one people.
Why is all this happening? Like I stated above, the driving force is the hate for one county by some individuals. Their reason is simple- DOMINION over Aweil’s affairs by this county during the liberation struggle and after the signing of the comprehensive peace agreement. However, is this statement valid and true? Is it true that it is Abiem (as a place and people) that is doing all this or some individuals within Abiem? This is what others don’t get it. There is a difference between an individual in a society and the whole place or people from that society.
Take an example the way, the Dinka community is being depicted for mismanagement of this country yet this is an act by someone or few individuals who come from the Dinka ethnic group. Do we agree that the Dinka (in this case as a community) are mismanaging the country? Of course not. Only illogical would continue with this fallacy of generalization. There may be instances where some individuals like the Jieeng Council of Elders may be implicated, but that is an isolated case. Nobody chose that group to handle the affairs of the government on behalf of the Dinka people. This is tantamount to the understanding of those advocating for severing ties with other states and more specifically with Abiem. In this regard too, my call to discourage this attitude is directed to those that are pushing for isolation and total disregard of Abiem and not everybody to desist from this.
Why would you hate the entire state just because of one man who has sycophants even in your own backyard? If someone could be honest with oneself, I believe, one would point out that those politicians (those that have held our democracy hostage) come from almost every county. The only difference here is that, their driver comes from Abiem. However, they are birds of the same feather. So, why blame Abiem people, all of us should rather tackle this group in its entirety. I am happy that, Aweil North and West have managed to tail the orphans of this man and that should be the case. Deal with them and leave Abiem out of this. Abiim will find their way out.
I urge my fellow youth not to be misled by our elders who have failed to unite us as a community in order to address common problems that plagued our dear state just because of their own vested interests. Should we continue the way they are, be rest assured that, Aweil will be a laughing stock as we shall begin to show our real colours in the simple quarrels that are likely to occur.
I am advocating for the continuation of our unions/associations as one entity rather than abolishing them. We can continue to have sectional unions while the overall mother union should be kept alive and supported. This will strengthen the bond that exist between us and will help us in the political arena especially at the national government. The overall union will act as an umbrella that manages both political and social injustices for Aweil people.
The division of the state is not meant to divide people, but to bring services to the people just like the former CMAs which hosted two sections that became five separate counties. Aweil North County for example, is now divided into four counties. This does not mean, each county of the created four should look upon the other sections as nemeses.
I stand to be corrected, that there is more to gain in our unity than when divided. Political division is healthy but a community divided socially and culturally falters easily. You can choose to go alone, but I stand with my people and would continue to render services when necessary without being bothered by those advocating for division of our people just because of politics.
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