Chukudum
Encyclopedia
Chukudum is a village in Budi County
of the Eastern Equatoria state of South Sudan
.
In May 2009 road construction resumed after being interrupted when the local people complained that the road was too wide, taking up too much land.
Many people keep cattle as well as farming. The main crops are sorghum, simsim, maize, tobacco, and beans.
Sources of conflict include cattle raiding, armed robbery, disputes over bride prices and disputes over farmland, water and pasturage. Disputes with internally displaced people and armed deserters from the army are also ongoing problems.
A June 2007 report for UNHCR noted that most families did not have latrines, and there were no public latrines.
There was a local medical center, and one functioning primary school in very poor condition.
Women had to travel 10-12 km to obtain firewood, and are at danger from attack by cattle raiders.
Security is still poor. In February 2011 two Catholic priests from the Torit
diocese were ambushed at Ngarera on the road between Camp 15 and Chukudum. More than six men in military uniforms sprayed their vehicle with bullets before being scared away by an approaching minibus.
(1983-2005), with considerable damage to infrastructure.
In December 1998, the Norwegian People's Aid NGO, which runs the medical center in the town, reported that a Sudanese government Antonov aircraft dropped six bombs on the town, but did not cause any casualties.
Relations with the separatist Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) were also strained, with soldiers and Didinga people being killed in clashes. In August 2002 the Chukudum Crisis Peace Conference was held to try to resolve issues between the SPLM and the Didinga community.
Tensions had built up since 1985, when the Dinka-dominated SPLA forces moved into the area.
They had come to a head in 1999 when the Didinga officer Peter Lorot
was passed over for promotion in favor of a Dinka, assassinated his rival and took to the woods with his supporters.
An attempt by the SPLA in June 2006 to disarm Lorot's militia was ignored, with the group threatening to start fighting again.
Budi County
Budi County is an administrative area of Eastern Equatoria state in South Sudan, with headquarters in Chukudum.-Location:Budi county is located in the south of Eastern Equatoria state, bordered by Uganda to the south, Ikotos County to the south west, Lafon County to the north west, and Kapoeta to...
of the Eastern Equatoria state of South Sudan
South Sudan
South Sudan , officially the Republic of South Sudan, is a landlocked country located in the Sahel region of northeastern Africa. It is also part of the North Africa UN sub-region. Its current capital is Juba, which is also its largest city; the capital city is planned to be moved to the more...
.
Location
The village lies at the base of the Didinga Mountains, which are often shrouded in clouds, in spectacularly beautiful country. It is accessible only by a rough track.In May 2009 road construction resumed after being interrupted when the local people complained that the road was too wide, taking up too much land.
People
The predominant tribe is the Didinga.Many people keep cattle as well as farming. The main crops are sorghum, simsim, maize, tobacco, and beans.
Sources of conflict include cattle raiding, armed robbery, disputes over bride prices and disputes over farmland, water and pasturage. Disputes with internally displaced people and armed deserters from the army are also ongoing problems.
A June 2007 report for UNHCR noted that most families did not have latrines, and there were no public latrines.
There was a local medical center, and one functioning primary school in very poor condition.
Women had to travel 10-12 km to obtain firewood, and are at danger from attack by cattle raiders.
Security is still poor. In February 2011 two Catholic priests from the Torit
Torit
-Location:The town is located in Torit County, Eastern Equatoria State, in the southeastern part of South Sudan, close to the International border with the Republic of Uganda. Its location lies approximately , by road, east of Juba, the capital and largest city in that country...
diocese were ambushed at Ngarera on the road between Camp 15 and Chukudum. More than six men in military uniforms sprayed their vehicle with bullets before being scared away by an approaching minibus.
Civil war
The villagers suffered during the Second Sudanese Civil WarSecond Sudanese Civil War
The Second Sudanese Civil War started in 1983, although it was largely a continuation of the First Sudanese Civil War of 1955 to 1972. Although it originated in southern Sudan, the civil war spread to the Nuba mountains and Blue Nile by the end of the 1980s....
(1983-2005), with considerable damage to infrastructure.
In December 1998, the Norwegian People's Aid NGO, which runs the medical center in the town, reported that a Sudanese government Antonov aircraft dropped six bombs on the town, but did not cause any casualties.
Relations with the separatist Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) were also strained, with soldiers and Didinga people being killed in clashes. In August 2002 the Chukudum Crisis Peace Conference was held to try to resolve issues between the SPLM and the Didinga community.
Tensions had built up since 1985, when the Dinka-dominated SPLA forces moved into the area.
They had come to a head in 1999 when the Didinga officer Peter Lorot
Peter Lorot
Peter Lorot is a former officer who served with the Sudan People's Liberation Army during the Second Sudanese Civil War . He broke away from the SPLA in 1999 with a Didinga force based on Chukudum, in Budi County of Eastern Equatoria State in South Sudan...
was passed over for promotion in favor of a Dinka, assassinated his rival and took to the woods with his supporters.
An attempt by the SPLA in June 2006 to disarm Lorot's militia was ignored, with the group threatening to start fighting again.