Louis Lobong Lojore
Encyclopedia
Louis Lobong Lojore is a former Brigadier General in the Sudan People's Liberation Army
(SPLA) who was elected Governor of Eastern Equatoria State in South Sudan
, taking office in May 2010.
He belongs to the Toposa ethnic group, and is from Kapoeta East County
.
Lojore became a Brigadier General in the SPLA during the Second Sudanese Civil War
(1983–2005).
He was also Secretary of the Southern Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Agency (SSRRA) for Greater Kapoeta
, Commissioner for greater Kapoeta and Deputy Governor for greater Equatoria.
When the civil war ended, Lobong was appointed Chief of the National Intelligence and Security Service for the Southern Sector of South Sudan. He was the SPLM State Chairman for Eastern Equatoria.
In 2005 he was a candidate for governorship of Eastern Equatoria State, but Aloisio Emor Ojetuk
was elected. It was said that Lobong failed to gain support for his candidacy from the chiefs in the State Conference in Chukudum
in June 2005 due to dissatisfaction over his failure to prevent Toposa of Namorunyang
from raiding and destabilizing the Lauro and Lotukei areas of Budi County
.
Lobong was appointed chairman of the Southern Sudan Peace Commission
.
In October 2009, responding to the recent wave of ethnic violence, Lobong called for the government to take harsh measures to deter others from causing problems.
, taking over from caretaker Governor Johnson Juma Okot. He promised to work towards development of the state and to promote peace between the different communities.
On 9 June 2010 he appointed his cabinet of state ministers, and also named the Commissioners for the eight counties of the state.
After the successful referendum in January 2011 in which 99.95% of votes were for south Sudan secession, Lobong was visited by a delegation of women from all eight counties of Eastern Equatoria. He recognized the great contribution that women had made during the civil war and subsequent struggle leading up to the referendum, and called on them to help build peaceful ties between the different ethnic groups in the state.
In March 2011 Lobong said that claims that rebels loyal to George Athor
had invaded Eastern Equatoria from Jonglei State wre untrue. He said that Athor was using scare tactics to gain publicity, and said the people of Greater Equatoria were loyal to the democratic Government of South Sudan.
In April 2011 Lobong said that at least six hundred thousand people were starving in Eastern Equatoria state due to a poor harvest in 2010. He called on NGOs to supply food and seed to the affected communities. He also asked NGOs to declare their budgets and objectives. This was needed to prevent corruption and so the government could direct its budget to unfunded areas.
In May 2011 Lobong announced that it would be illegal to carry arms in public places, and that this ban applied even to off-duty security personnel such as soldiers and policemen.
That month Lobong said that he would consult with President Salva Kiir Mayardit
about solving to a dispute between the Lopit
and Pari communities of Lafon-Lopa County over which community should supply the county commissioner. He said that he would discuss adding more counties with the President. Each of the 16 new counties would be more ethnically homogeneous.
This runs counter to recommendations of a report issued in 2010 to which Lobong's Southern Sudan Peace Commission contributed. The report found that decentralization and division of administrations along ethnic lines could be aggravating tensions.
During the July 2011 independence celebrations, Lobong urged citizens to play an active role in suppressing cattle rustling, which he described as the biggest challenge to security in South Sudan, one of the poorest countries in the world. He called on them to develop a culture of hard work and to send their children to school.
Lobong also called for cordial relations with neighboring countries, including Ethiopia.
He said "It is time for us to contribute at regional and international levels for the stability not only of the region but of the world. We need peace among ourselves and our sister countries".
Sudan People's Liberation Army
The Sudan People's Liberation Movement is a political party in South Sudan. It was initially founded as a rebel political movement with a military wing known as the Sudan People's Liberation Army estimated at 180,000 soldiers. The SPLM fought in the Second Sudanese Civil War against the Sudanese...
(SPLA) who was elected Governor of Eastern Equatoria 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...
, taking office in May 2010.
Early life
Louis Lobong Lojore was born between 1962-1965.He belongs to the Toposa ethnic group, and is from Kapoeta East County
Kapoeta East County
Kapoeta East County is an administrative region of Eastern Equatoria state in South Sudan, bordered by Kenya to the south, Ethiopia to the east and Jonglei state to the west. It is part of the Greater Kapoeta region of the state...
.
Lojore became a Brigadier General in the SPLA during the Second Sudanese Civil War
Second 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).
He was also Secretary of the Southern Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Agency (SSRRA) for Greater Kapoeta
Greater Kapoeta
Greater Kapoeta is the name given to the eastern half of Eastern Equatoria State in South Sudan, at one time an administrative region with headquarters in the town of Kapoeta....
, Commissioner for greater Kapoeta and Deputy Governor for greater Equatoria.
When the civil war ended, Lobong was appointed Chief of the National Intelligence and Security Service for the Southern Sector of South Sudan. He was the SPLM State Chairman for Eastern Equatoria.
In 2005 he was a candidate for governorship of Eastern Equatoria State, but Aloisio Emor Ojetuk
Aloisio Emor Ojetuk
Aloisio Emor Ojetuk was governor of Eastern Equatoria State of South Sudan from 2005 to 2010.In September 2006, Ojetuk said that the remnants of the former Equatoria Defence Forces were being supplied with ammunition by the Sudanese Armed Forces and were still a threat to security...
was elected. It was said that Lobong failed to gain support for his candidacy from the chiefs in the State Conference in Chukudum
Chukudum
Chukudum is a village in Budi County of the Eastern Equatoria state of South Sudan.-Location:The village lies at the base of the Didinga Mountains, which are often shrouded in clouds, in spectacularly beautiful country...
in June 2005 due to dissatisfaction over his failure to prevent Toposa of Namorunyang
Namorunyang
Namorunyang is a village and Payam of Kapoeta South County in Eastern Equatoria State, South Sudan.There has been a long history of conflict between the Toposa of Namorunyang and Bunio and the Didinga of Budi County....
from raiding and destabilizing the Lauro and Lotukei areas of Budi County
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...
.
Lobong was appointed chairman of the Southern Sudan Peace Commission
Southern Sudan Peace Commission
The Southern Sudan Peace Commission was established in 2006.The purpose of the Peace Commission is promote peace among the people of South Sudan and to help consolidate the results of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed in January 2005 between the Sudan People's Liberation Movement and the...
.
In October 2009, responding to the recent wave of ethnic violence, Lobong called for the government to take harsh measures to deter others from causing problems.
Eastern Equatoria governor
Lobong took his oath of office on 19 May 2010 in a ceremony at the Eastern Equatoria State Legislative Assembly Hall in ToritTorit
-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...
, taking over from caretaker Governor Johnson Juma Okot. He promised to work towards development of the state and to promote peace between the different communities.
On 9 June 2010 he appointed his cabinet of state ministers, and also named the Commissioners for the eight counties of the state.
After the successful referendum in January 2011 in which 99.95% of votes were for south Sudan secession, Lobong was visited by a delegation of women from all eight counties of Eastern Equatoria. He recognized the great contribution that women had made during the civil war and subsequent struggle leading up to the referendum, and called on them to help build peaceful ties between the different ethnic groups in the state.
In March 2011 Lobong said that claims that rebels loyal to George Athor
George Athor
George Athor Deng, who holds the Sudan People's Liberation Army rank of Lieutenant General, is a SPLA dissident and also a former unsuccessful 'independent' candidate for the leadership of Jonglei State, Sudan. Jonglei State is one of the more influential states in South Sudan...
had invaded Eastern Equatoria from Jonglei State wre untrue. He said that Athor was using scare tactics to gain publicity, and said the people of Greater Equatoria were loyal to the democratic Government of South Sudan.
In April 2011 Lobong said that at least six hundred thousand people were starving in Eastern Equatoria state due to a poor harvest in 2010. He called on NGOs to supply food and seed to the affected communities. He also asked NGOs to declare their budgets and objectives. This was needed to prevent corruption and so the government could direct its budget to unfunded areas.
In May 2011 Lobong announced that it would be illegal to carry arms in public places, and that this ban applied even to off-duty security personnel such as soldiers and policemen.
That month Lobong said that he would consult with President Salva Kiir Mayardit
Salva Kiir Mayardit
Salva Kiir Mayardit is the first President of the Republic of South Sudan.-Sudanese civil wars:In the late 1960s, Kiir joined the Anyanya in the First Sudanese Civil War. By the time of the 1972 Addis Ababa Agreement, he was a low-ranking officer...
about solving to a dispute between the Lopit
Lopit people
The Lopit or Lopid are an ethnic group numbering 90,000 to 136,000 people living in the South Sudanese state of Eastern Equatoria. The Lopit language is Nilotic....
and Pari communities of Lafon-Lopa County over which community should supply the county commissioner. He said that he would discuss adding more counties with the President. Each of the 16 new counties would be more ethnically homogeneous.
This runs counter to recommendations of a report issued in 2010 to which Lobong's Southern Sudan Peace Commission contributed. The report found that decentralization and division of administrations along ethnic lines could be aggravating tensions.
During the July 2011 independence celebrations, Lobong urged citizens to play an active role in suppressing cattle rustling, which he described as the biggest challenge to security in South Sudan, one of the poorest countries in the world. He called on them to develop a culture of hard work and to send their children to school.
Lobong also called for cordial relations with neighboring countries, including Ethiopia.
He said "It is time for us to contribute at regional and international levels for the stability not only of the region but of the world. We need peace among ourselves and our sister countries".