Infighting in Pochalla, South Sudan

We, the Anywaa people both in the mother land and diaspora have been asking ourselves questions which many do not have answers for. What are the causes of the ongoing infighting between Pochallla South County and Otalo Payam? The last time Anywaa/Anyuak had bloodshed among themselves is over 70 years ago which prove the Anywaa people civility and rule of law compared to any other Nilot in South Sudan, Ethiopia or neighboring countries. Here are the root causes for those who are interested in fact findings.

After the unsuccessful reshuffling of Boma State Governor Hon. David Yau Yau by President Kiir with Baba Medan Konyi , Baba installed himself in the throne and appointed his cabinet which include Ogatu Cham as his deputy governor, John Abowela Finance minister and King Akwai Akwai of Otalo Payam being the overall top advisor. Then Baba Konyi leadership was rejected by the majority people of Boma State, fight broke out in Pibor and Pres Kiir recalled Baba to Juba and warned him not to go back to Boma. This means that Baba government was put on indefinite hold by the president of the Republic of South Sudan until either Gov. DYY is reinstated or new person is appointed by the president. However, Baba Konyi disobeyed the presidential decree and went ahead told King Akwai Akwai to take the two commissioners designated for Pochala South and North Counties to Pochalla.

Then upon King Akwai arrival in Pochalla South County:

1.    King Akwai released his nephew who was serving time in jail due to the murder he committed last year and Akwai told people of Pochalla South that the young man shouldn’t be in jail for that long;

2.    King Akwai refused to go to Pochalla North, the county where he belongs instead he declared to divide the town of Pochalla into two which mean one part to be governed by his Pochalla North County and the other by Pochalla South. Pochalla South leaders told Akwai that you cannot serve your county from here because your people won’t be able to receive services intended for them and it won’t make sense for two counties to be in one town;

3.    Pochalla Southt leaders sent the message to Baba and Baba called Akawi and told him to leave Pochalla South and go to Otalo Payam (or Pochalla North) but he, Akwai refused;

4.    The following day they broke into an abandoned building and turned it into their offices for Pochalla North County;

5.    Pochalla South County citizens rejected Akwai forced acquisition of the office and gave him days to vacate the building but that did not happen;

6.    Pochalla South closed the offices of Akwai headquarter then the fight broke out 3 days ago;

7.    Akwai, asked support from Murle civilians who are aligned to Baba Konyi’s father in-law chief Nugochu (spelling) who anti-cobra or formation of Boma State and about 50-70 Murle civilians participated in the fight against Pochalla South yesterday morning and evening and even today there are still near Pochalla town. However, pockets of Anywaae who are aligned to Akwai have twisted the news saying it was Pochalla South county that took Murle of Cobra force to invade Otalo Payam. This is far from truth and please do check your source of information;

8.    Akwai homeboys of Otalo Payam Anyuak SPLA soldiers who are stationed in Pochalla town (Pochalla South) have removed their uniforms, left their barracks and participated in the firefight against Pochalla South with the support from the head of SPLA Pochalla commander and SPLA had also assisted them with ammunitions, 3 PKM machine guns and RPG which they used in the fight;

9.    Ogatu Cham in Juba, reported to the South Sudanese defense minister and his long term friend Koul Manyang Juuk that the fight in Pochalla is between Akwai Akwai militia and SPLA-IO of Anyuak and Murle of Cobra faction.

Question, do you believe Ogatu to be telling the truth or he’s simply exaggerating the information in order to have SPLA involve to destabilize Boma State government or to deny Boma from becoming state where Anyuak and Murle can finally live in peace and focus on economic development. You be the judge. Thanks.