Jikany Nuer
Encyclopedia
The Jikany Nuer are a section of the Nuer people who mainly live in the eastern part of Upper Nile
state in South Sudan
, particularly around Nasir in Nasir County
.
(1983-2005), between 1993 and 2004 the Lou Nuer and Jikany Nuer of Nasir County were in violent conflict. After that time, relations between the two groups were calmer until 2009, when they deteriorated sharply.
Gordon Kong Chuol
belongs to the Jikany Nuer and comes from Nasir.
He became a militia leader of Thourjikany Forces, and a Major-General in Anya Nya II in 1988.
He then became a commander and a member of the political and military high command of the SPLM/A.
In August 1991 Riek Machar, Lam Akol
and Gordon Kong announced that John Garang had been ejected from the SPLM.
The breakaway faction, based in Nasir until 1995 and then in Waat
and Ayod
, was called the SPLM/A-Nasir faction from 1991 to 1993.
In the first part of 1994, Gordon Kong became involved in a quarrel between Lou Nuer from Waat and Jikany Nuer in Nasir over fishing rights in the Sobat River
.
As commander of Waat and Nasir, Gordon Kong was ordered by Riek Machar to defend Nasir.
Instead Gordon Kong left Nasir and launched an attack on Lou civilians.
In response, the Lou called in Gordon Kong Banypiny for help, and he led a force of Lou men to Nasir, which they burned. Riek Machar arrested the commanders who had become involved in this fighting between SSIA sections and put them up for trial. Some were sentenced to imprisonment and others to death. Later they were pardoned.
Upper Nile
Upper Nile is one of the 10 states of South Sudan. The current governor of Upper Nile, and its first governor in the independence era of South Sudan, is Simon Kun Puoch. The White Nile flows through the state, giving it its name. The state also shares a similar name with the region of Greater Upper...
state in 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...
, particularly around Nasir in Nasir County
Nasir County
Nasir County is an administrative area in Upper Nile state, South Sudan. The headquarters is the town of Nasir, on the north side of the Sobat River, about as the crow flies from the Ethiopian border.-Economy:...
.
Civil war
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), between 1993 and 2004 the Lou Nuer and Jikany Nuer of Nasir County were in violent conflict. After that time, relations between the two groups were calmer until 2009, when they deteriorated sharply.
Gordon Kong Chuol
Gordon Kong Chuol
Gordon Kong Chuol is a former militia commander in South Sudan, who fought for the Sudan People's Liberation Army and later for the forces led by Riek Machar during the Second Sudanese Civil War.-Independence fighter:...
belongs to the Jikany Nuer and comes from Nasir.
He became a militia leader of Thourjikany Forces, and a Major-General in Anya Nya II in 1988.
He then became a commander and a member of the political and military high command of the SPLM/A.
In August 1991 Riek Machar, Lam Akol
Lam Akol
Dr. Lam Akol Ajawin is a South Sudanese politician of Kenyan descent. He is the current leader of SPLM for Democratic Change , which he founded 6 June 2009...
and Gordon Kong announced that John Garang had been ejected from the SPLM.
The breakaway faction, based in Nasir until 1995 and then in Waat
Waat
Waat is a village in South Sudan. It is located in Akobo County, Jonglei State, in the northeastern part of South Sudan. It is connected by road to Faddoi just to the southeast...
and Ayod
Ayod
Ayod is a community in Jonglei state, South Sudan, headquarters of Ayod County.The Nuer people are the main inhabitants.Riek Machar, first vice-president of South Sudan, is the 26th son of the chief of both Ayod and Leer....
, was called the SPLM/A-Nasir faction from 1991 to 1993.
In the first part of 1994, Gordon Kong became involved in a quarrel between Lou Nuer from Waat and Jikany Nuer in Nasir over fishing rights in the Sobat River
Sobat River
The Sobat River is a river in South Sudan, Africa. The most southerly of the great eastern tributaries of the Nile, the Sobat enters the White Nile at Doleib Hill, near the city of Malakal in the Upper Nile state of South Sudan...
.
As commander of Waat and Nasir, Gordon Kong was ordered by Riek Machar to defend Nasir.
Instead Gordon Kong left Nasir and launched an attack on Lou civilians.
In response, the Lou called in Gordon Kong Banypiny for help, and he led a force of Lou men to Nasir, which they burned. Riek Machar arrested the commanders who had become involved in this fighting between SSIA sections and put them up for trial. Some were sentenced to imprisonment and others to death. Later they were pardoned.