Nadapal
Encyclopedia
Nadapal is a community in the north of the Turkana District
of Kenya
near the border with the Eastern Equatoria state of South Sudan
. The Nadapal belt is an area stretching 25 kilometres (15.5 mi) southward from the border with South Sudan to Lokichogio in Kenya.
The village of Nadapal lies on the road between Narus
in South Sudan and Lokichogio.
The area has been the scene of violent clashes between Toposa and Turkana
pastoralists, traditional rivals.
It is becoming a vital border crossing as trade between Kenya and South Sudan booms following independence.
The assessment incorrectly placed the village in the Narus payam of Kapoeta East County
, South Sudan.
The mistake may be because the Sudan People's Liberation Army
(SPLA) had a presence in the village, and the Toposa people mostly live north of the border.
The village chief estimated the population was 3,500 including 300 returnees from the nearby Kakuma
refugee camp in Kenya. Most of the people were IDPs from Jongole State.
The majority of people were pastoralist.
In normal times the Nadapal wetlands provide abundant pasturage and water for the herds of cattle, sheep and goats. The 2009 assessment found that available food included sorghum, maize, meat, sugar, oil, salt and rice, cooked using firewood collected by the women. Insufficient rain was causing food insecurity. The river was not running even in the rainy season. The village had three functioning boreholes providing fair quality potable water, which the women collected. Some families had latrines while others used the bushes. The nearest health services were in Narus, more than 3 hours away by foot, and Lokichogio, more than four hours away by foot.
By 2007, the village had one primary school with 428 pupils taught outdoors under trees by 11 teachers. The nearest secondary school was in Narus town, 25 kilometres (15.5 mi) away.
School supplies were being provided by the Government of South Sudan's State Ministry of Education and UNICEF.
Oxfam
and the local organization Turkana Education For All helped improve facilities, and by 2009, enrollment at the primary school had increased to 1,425.
in Sudan in 1983, the United Nations sponsored an operation called Lifeline Sudan for emergency relief, based in Lokichogio. Soldiers of the Sudan People's Liberation Army
(SPLA) moved into the area to escort relief convoys.
During the civil war many people from South Sudan took refuge in Kenya from the Sudanese Armed Forces.
With the end of the conflict, some Kenyans wanted the Toposa of the Nadapal area to return to South Sudan. The Toposa may have been reluctant in part because of the economic importance of the green Nadapal belt, but also in part because they felt that dominant tribes in South Sudan such as the Dinka and Nuer thought the Toposa had backed the Government of Sudan during the civil war, and they would therefore be treated as an unwelcome minority in Eastern Equatoria.
In October 2009 it was reported that some Toposa people attacked the newly established barracks in Nadapal and killed 16 Kenyan troops. Kenya denied that the incident had occurred.
A second attack occurred a week later.
With growing tension, some of the Toposa moved north to Kapoeta
to live with relatives.
Kenyan police were providing armed escorts for civilian vehicles travelling from Lokichokio to Nadapal, and the SPLA was providing armed escorts from Nadapal to Kapoeta
.
There were ongoing clashes between the Toposa and Turkana. In February 2010 there were two serious incidents. Turkana raiders attacked Toposa cattle camps near Nadapal, with six Toposa and two Turkana raiders being killed.
Ten days later, Toposa youth ambushed a vehicle between Nadapal and Lokichoggio killing two Kenyans and wounding an unknown number.
According to an SPLA spokesman, Khartoum's Alintibaha newspaper deliberately misquoted Reuters
and said the Kenyan Defence Ministry had accused the SPLA of the second ambush.
Following the second incident, the Standard reported that "Kenya and Southern Sudan security forces are conducting a joint security operation to crack down on suspected Toposa militia along the border".
A May 2010 report said the fighting between Toposa and Turkana had claimed over 40 lives and about 4,000 livestock had been stolen.It also said that George Echom
, Deputy Governor of Eastern Equatorial State, had claimed that Nadapal belonged to South Sudan.
In February 2008 the South Sudanese government awarded a contract to upgrade the 375 kilometres (233 mi) road between Nadapal and Juba
from gravel to international trunk road bitumen standard. The start of work was delayed due to security problems and the need to remove mines laid during the civil war. The road had assumed a vital role in supply of goods and services to Southern Sudan, forming part of the "Northern Corridor" linking the port of Mombasa
through Kenya to Southern Sudan.
In July 2008 the border crossing was closed after Kenyan police prevented truckers from bringing arms into their country. A dispute flared up, with troops from both sides arriving, and the border remained closed for two days as the dispute was sorted out. About 80 trucks from South Sudan were held up during the closure.
The Kenyan government established an Immigration office at Nadapal to promote trade and boost security, and built 51 housing units for Kenya Revenue Authority, Public Health, Police and other government workers. The facilities were opened early in July 2011.
That month, the South Sudan government imposed a ban on entry of Somali people
to the country, forcing hundreds of traders and truck drivers to camp at the Nadapal border. After a two-week delay the government relaxed the rule, saying that Somalis of Kenyan origin could enter as long as they produced their national identity cards or passports. For security reasons, non-Kenyan Somalis were still rigidly excluded.
This came at a time when growing numbers of Kenyans were seeking business opportunities in the newly-independent South Sudan, making the border crossing increasingly busy.
Turkana District
Turkana District is an administrative district in the Rift Valley Province of Kenya. Turkana is the northwesternmost district in Kenya. It is bordered by the countries of Uganda to the west; South Sudan and Ethiopia, including the disputed Ilemi Triangle, to the north and northeast; and Lake...
of Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
near the border with 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...
. The Nadapal belt is an area stretching 25 kilometres (15.5 mi) southward from the border with South Sudan to Lokichogio in Kenya.
The village of Nadapal lies on the road between Narus
Narus, South Sudan
Narus is a community in the Eastern Equatoria state of South Sudan. It is the principal community of Kapoeta East County.-Location:Narus is north of the Kenyan border on the road from Kapoeta to Lokichoggio in Kenya....
in South Sudan and Lokichogio.
The area has been the scene of violent clashes between Toposa and Turkana
Turkana people
The Turkana are a Nilotic people native to the Turkana District in northwest Kenya, a dry and hot region bordering Lake Turkana in the east, Pokot, Rendille and Samburuto the south, Uganda to the west, and Sudan and Ethiopia to the north...
pastoralists, traditional rivals.
It is becoming a vital border crossing as trade between Kenya and South Sudan booms following independence.
People
A June 2009 assessment of Nadapal by the UNHCR said 90% of the people in Nadapal were Toposa.The assessment incorrectly placed the village in the Narus payam of 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...
, South Sudan.
The mistake may be because the Sudan People's Liberation Army
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) had a presence in the village, and the Toposa people mostly live north of the border.
The village chief estimated the population was 3,500 including 300 returnees from the nearby Kakuma
Kakuma
Kakuma town is located in Turkana District, in the northwestern region of Kenya. Kakuma is the Swahili word for "nowhere", epitomizing the seclusion of the area....
refugee camp in Kenya. Most of the people were IDPs from Jongole State.
The majority of people were pastoralist.
Economy
The Nadapal belt includes valuable pasture and water points, and has always been an area of conflict between Turkana and Toposa herders.In normal times the Nadapal wetlands provide abundant pasturage and water for the herds of cattle, sheep and goats. The 2009 assessment found that available food included sorghum, maize, meat, sugar, oil, salt and rice, cooked using firewood collected by the women. Insufficient rain was causing food insecurity. The river was not running even in the rainy season. The village had three functioning boreholes providing fair quality potable water, which the women collected. Some families had latrines while others used the bushes. The nearest health services were in Narus, more than 3 hours away by foot, and Lokichogio, more than four hours away by foot.
By 2007, the village had one primary school with 428 pupils taught outdoors under trees by 11 teachers. The nearest secondary school was in Narus town, 25 kilometres (15.5 mi) away.
School supplies were being provided by the Government of South Sudan's State Ministry of Education and UNICEF.
Oxfam
Oxfam
Oxfam is an international confederation of 15 organizations working in 98 countries worldwide to find lasting solutions to poverty and related injustice around the world. In all Oxfam’s actions, the ultimate goal is to enable people to exercise their rights and manage their own lives...
and the local organization Turkana Education For All helped improve facilities, and by 2009, enrollment at the primary school had increased to 1,425.
Civil war
After the outbreak of 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....
in Sudan in 1983, the United Nations sponsored an operation called Lifeline Sudan for emergency relief, based in Lokichogio. Soldiers of the Sudan People's Liberation Army
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) moved into the area to escort relief convoys.
During the civil war many people from South Sudan took refuge in Kenya from the Sudanese Armed Forces.
With the end of the conflict, some Kenyans wanted the Toposa of the Nadapal area to return to South Sudan. The Toposa may have been reluctant in part because of the economic importance of the green Nadapal belt, but also in part because they felt that dominant tribes in South Sudan such as the Dinka and Nuer thought the Toposa had backed the Government of Sudan during the civil war, and they would therefore be treated as an unwelcome minority in Eastern Equatoria.
Post-civil war conflict
The SPLA troops did not immediately leave after the end of the civil war in January 2005. On 30 July 2009 two Kenyan cabinet members visiting the area were stopped by SPLA troops. The Kenyan government asked the SPLA to leave the country, but otherwise took a restrained position.In October 2009 it was reported that some Toposa people attacked the newly established barracks in Nadapal and killed 16 Kenyan troops. Kenya denied that the incident had occurred.
A second attack occurred a week later.
With growing tension, some of the Toposa moved north to 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....
to live with relatives.
Kenyan police were providing armed escorts for civilian vehicles travelling from Lokichokio to Nadapal, and the SPLA was providing armed escorts from Nadapal to Kapoeta
Kapoeta
Kapoeta is a town in South Sudan. It is located in Kapoeta South County, in Eastern Equatoria State, in southeastern South Sudan.-Location:The town lies on the east bank of the Singaita River...
.
There were ongoing clashes between the Toposa and Turkana. In February 2010 there were two serious incidents. Turkana raiders attacked Toposa cattle camps near Nadapal, with six Toposa and two Turkana raiders being killed.
Ten days later, Toposa youth ambushed a vehicle between Nadapal and Lokichoggio killing two Kenyans and wounding an unknown number.
According to an SPLA spokesman, Khartoum's Alintibaha newspaper deliberately misquoted Reuters
Reuters
Reuters is a news agency headquartered in New York City. Until 2008 the Reuters news agency formed part of a British independent company, Reuters Group plc, which was also a provider of financial market data...
and said the Kenyan Defence Ministry had accused the SPLA of the second ambush.
Following the second incident, the Standard reported that "Kenya and Southern Sudan security forces are conducting a joint security operation to crack down on suspected Toposa militia along the border".
A May 2010 report said the fighting between Toposa and Turkana had claimed over 40 lives and about 4,000 livestock had been stolen.It also said that George Echom
George Echom
George Echom Ekeno is a politician who was deputy governor of Eastern Equatoria state in South Sudan, and was later appointed state minister for Environment, Wildlife Conservation & Tourism....
, Deputy Governor of Eastern Equatorial State, had claimed that Nadapal belonged to South Sudan.
Commerce
Juba
- Locations :* Juba, the capital of South Sudan* Juba, Estonia, a village in Võru Parish, Võru County, Estonia- People :* Juba I of Numidia * Juba II of Numidia * Juba of Mauretania...
from gravel to international trunk road bitumen standard. The start of work was delayed due to security problems and the need to remove mines laid during the civil war. The road had assumed a vital role in supply of goods and services to Southern Sudan, forming part of the "Northern Corridor" linking the port of Mombasa
Mombasa
Mombasa is the second-largest city in Kenya. Lying next to the Indian Ocean, it has a major port and an international airport. The city also serves as the centre of the coastal tourism industry....
through Kenya to Southern Sudan.
In July 2008 the border crossing was closed after Kenyan police prevented truckers from bringing arms into their country. A dispute flared up, with troops from both sides arriving, and the border remained closed for two days as the dispute was sorted out. About 80 trucks from South Sudan were held up during the closure.
The Kenyan government established an Immigration office at Nadapal to promote trade and boost security, and built 51 housing units for Kenya Revenue Authority, Public Health, Police and other government workers. The facilities were opened early in July 2011.
That month, the South Sudan government imposed a ban on entry of Somali people
Somali people
Somalis are an ethnic group located in the Horn of Africa, also known as the Somali Peninsula. The overwhelming majority of Somalis speak the Somali language, which is part of the Cushitic branch of the Afro-Asiatic language family...
to the country, forcing hundreds of traders and truck drivers to camp at the Nadapal border. After a two-week delay the government relaxed the rule, saying that Somalis of Kenyan origin could enter as long as they produced their national identity cards or passports. For security reasons, non-Kenyan Somalis were still rigidly excluded.
This came at a time when growing numbers of Kenyans were seeking business opportunities in the newly-independent South Sudan, making the border crossing increasingly busy.