Samuel Aru Bol
Encyclopedia
Samuel Aru Bol was a prominent politician in Southern Sudan. During the Second Sudanese Civil War
(1983-2005) he signed the Khartoum Peace Agreement of 1997
as representative for the Union of Sudan African Parties (USAP).
, Lakes State
in 1929.
He was first elected to the Parliament of Sudan
in 1968. He had a complicated political career during the presidency of Gaafar Nimeiry
(1969-1985).
On 3 May 1972 the Addis Ababa agreement was ratified as "The Southern Provinces Regional Self-Government Act 1972", bringing an end to the First Sudanese Civil War
. Samuel Aru Bol and Joseph Oduho
were appointed to the southern executive.
Samuel Aru Bol was made vice-president of the High Executive Council (HEC), the government of the autonomous southern Sudan.
As HEC vice-president and speaker of the Assembly he became involved in a scandal related to the handling of 30,000 Sudanese pounds intended for refugee resettlement.
On 4 January 1982 Samuel Aru Bol was among 21 leading politicians who were arrested in Juba
, charged with forming an illegal party, the "Council for Unity of Southern Sudan". Others arrested were Clement Mboro, Michael Wal and Martin Majier.
After Nimeiri was ousted in the coup of April 1985, Samuel Aru Bol was appointed Deputy Prime Minister in the Transitional Military Government of President Sowar al-Dahab.
He created the Southern Sudanese Political Association (SSPA), which won ten seats in the 1986 elections.
In July 1987 the SSPA joined forces with four other southern parties in a coalition called the Union of Sudanese African Parties (USAP), led by James Eliaba Surur.
to power. He was held for six months without charge or trial.
After the coup, James Eliaba was imprisoned, tortured, then allowed to go into exile in Uganda.
As of 1991, Samuel Aru Bol was 62 years of age, married with eight children.
He was arrested in Khartoum on 14 October 1991 for criticizing a government decision that schools in South Sudan, and schools in the north set up for Internally Displaced People (IDPs) from the south, would use Arabic rather than English.
This was seen as another step in the move to Arabicize the country and submerge the cultural identity of southerners who had in the past been instructed in English.
From 1994 to 1998, Samuel Aru Bol spent time in Nairobi
, Kenya
with John Garang
, leader of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army. However, in a 1998 interview he cast doubts on Garang's sincerity in seeking peace.
In 1996 Samuel Aru Bol agreed to sign the Preliminary Peace Charter, and in 21 April 1997 he signed the Khartoum Agreement as representative of the USAP, assuming an authority that may not have been justified.
Aru died of diabetes in Khartoum on 18 November 2000.
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 signed the Khartoum Peace Agreement of 1997
Khartoum Peace Agreement of 1997
The Khartoum Peace Agreement of 1997 was an agreement made on 21 April 1997 between the Khartoum-based government of Sudan and various militia leaders from South Sudan during the Second Sudanese Civil War ....
as representative for the Union of Sudan African Parties (USAP).
Early years
Samuel Aru Bol was born in RumbekRumbek
Rumbek is a town in South Sudan.-Location:The town of Rumbek is located in Rumbek Central County, Lakes State in central South Sudan. This location lies approximately , by road, northwest of Juba, the capital and largest city in that country. Rumbek sits at an elevation of above sea level...
, Lakes State
Lakes (state)
Lakes is one of the 10 states of South Sudan. It has an area of 40,235 km². Rumbek is the capital of the state. Lakes is in the Bahr el Ghazal region of South Sudan, in addition to Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Western Bahr el Ghazal, and Warrap states. Bahr el Ghazal itself was a former province...
in 1929.
He was first elected to the Parliament of Sudan
Sudan
Sudan , officially the Republic of the Sudan , is a country in North Africa, sometimes considered part of the Middle East politically. It is bordered by Egypt to the north, the Red Sea to the northeast, Eritrea and Ethiopia to the east, South Sudan to the south, the Central African Republic to the...
in 1968. He had a complicated political career during the presidency of Gaafar Nimeiry
Gaafar Nimeiry
Gaafar Muhammad an-Nimeiry was the Nubian President of Sudan from 1969 to 1985...
(1969-1985).
On 3 May 1972 the Addis Ababa agreement was ratified as "The Southern Provinces Regional Self-Government Act 1972", bringing an end to the First Sudanese Civil War
First Sudanese Civil War
The First Sudanese Civil War was a conflict from 1955 to 1972 between the northern part of Sudan and the southern Sudan region that demanded representation and more regional autonomy...
. Samuel Aru Bol and Joseph Oduho
Joseph Oduho
Joseph Oduho Haworu was a leading politician from South Sudan who was active in the struggle for independence and a founding member of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement .-Early years 1929-1960:...
were appointed to the southern executive.
Samuel Aru Bol was made vice-president of the High Executive Council (HEC), the government of the autonomous southern Sudan.
As HEC vice-president and speaker of the Assembly he became involved in a scandal related to the handling of 30,000 Sudanese pounds intended for refugee resettlement.
On 4 January 1982 Samuel Aru Bol was among 21 leading politicians who were arrested in Juba
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...
, charged with forming an illegal party, the "Council for Unity of Southern Sudan". Others arrested were Clement Mboro, Michael Wal and Martin Majier.
After Nimeiri was ousted in the coup of April 1985, Samuel Aru Bol was appointed Deputy Prime Minister in the Transitional Military Government of President Sowar al-Dahab.
He created the Southern Sudanese Political Association (SSPA), which won ten seats in the 1986 elections.
In July 1987 the SSPA joined forces with four other southern parties in a coalition called the Union of Sudanese African Parties (USAP), led by James Eliaba Surur.
Omar al-Bashir regime
Samuel Aru Bol and other senior politicians were arrested after the coup of 30 June 1989 that brought Omar al-BashirOmar al-Bashir
Lieutenant General Omar Hassan Ahmad Al-Bashir is the current President of Sudan and the head of the National Congress Party. He came to power in 1989 when he, as a brigadier in the Sudanese army, led a group of officers in a bloodless military coup that ousted the government of Prime Minister...
to power. He was held for six months without charge or trial.
After the coup, James Eliaba was imprisoned, tortured, then allowed to go into exile in Uganda.
As of 1991, Samuel Aru Bol was 62 years of age, married with eight children.
He was arrested in Khartoum on 14 October 1991 for criticizing a government decision that schools in South Sudan, and schools in the north set up for Internally Displaced People (IDPs) from the south, would use Arabic rather than English.
This was seen as another step in the move to Arabicize the country and submerge the cultural identity of southerners who had in the past been instructed in English.
From 1994 to 1998, Samuel Aru Bol spent time in Nairobi
Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
, 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...
with John Garang
John Garang
John Garang de Mabior was a Sudanese politician and rebel leader. From 1983 to 2005, he led the Sudan People's Liberation Army during the Second Sudanese Civil War, and following a peace agreement he briefly served as First Vice President of Sudan from January 2005 until he died in a July 2005...
, leader of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army. However, in a 1998 interview he cast doubts on Garang's sincerity in seeking peace.
In 1996 Samuel Aru Bol agreed to sign the Preliminary Peace Charter, and in 21 April 1997 he signed the Khartoum Agreement as representative of the USAP, assuming an authority that may not have been justified.
Aru died of diabetes in Khartoum on 18 November 2000.