Aweil West County, Northern Bahr el-Ghazal State

DEMOGRAPHY

2008 NBS Census population: 166,217
2021 NBS PES population estimate*: 390,370**
2022 UN OCHA population estimate*: 204,245**       

Ethnic groups: Dinka Malual (Palieu-Piny/Palyoupiny), Luo/‘Jur Chol’

Displacement Figures Q3 2022: 1,413 IDPs (-36,109 Q1 2020) and 460 returnees (-18,090 Q1 2020)

IPC Food Security: November 2022 – Emergency (Phase 4); IPC Projections: December 2022 to March 2023 – Crisis (Phase 3); April to July 2023 – Emergency (Phase 4)

ECONOMY & LIVELIHOODS

Aweil West County is located in Northern Bahr el-Ghazal State. It borders Aweil North County to the north, Aweil East County to the east, and Aweil Centre County to the south. It also borders Western Bahr el-Ghazal State (Raja County) to the west.

The county falls under the western flood plains sorghum and cattle livelihoods zone (FEWSNET 2018), with grassland, swampy areas of papyrus reed, and pockets of forest being found in this area. According to a report from FAO and WFP (2018), 75% of households engage in farming, which remained the case in 2021. Gross cereal yields in the county were put at 1.10 tonnes per hectare in 2021 (FAO/WFP 2022), increasing to 1.3 tonnes per hectare in 2022 (FAO/WFP 2023). Similar to their neighbours in Aweil North, in addition to farming personal homesteads and smallholder farms, some young men make the seasonal journey north to Sudan to work as manual labourers on large commercial agricultural holdings (Kindersley and Majok 2019). The main crops in the county were reportedly sorghum, maize, groundnuts, sesame and vegetables. Northern towns such as Aweil have traditionally relied heavily on Sudan for imports of staple foods such as flour, millet and sorghum. Trade was reportedly dampened by the official closure of the border with Sudan in May 2011 (UNMISS 2012), however illegal trade persisted throughout the recent civil war in South Sudan.

The economy of Aweil West – and Northern Bahr el-Ghazal more broadly – has undergone a major transformation towards markets and commercialisation of labour. Decades of conflict and insecurity within South Sudan and across the border in Darfur/Kordofan have accelerated pre-existing patterns of migration through forced displacement from Aweil to Sudan and elsewhere. The rapid repopulation of the area since the early 2000s placed the local markets and ecology under such pressure that cash, wages and markets became an increasingly vital means for survival.

This structural economic transformation partly explains why food insecurity has continued to be a challenge for Northern Bahr el-Ghazal State despite its relative stability. Aweil West County was classified as being at Emergency (IPC Phase 4) levels of food insecurity in November 2022, and is projected to improve to Crisis (IPC Phase 3) levels between December 2022 and March 2022, before reverting to Emergency levels until at least July 2023.

Flooding is a regular concern for both agriculturalists and pastoralists in Aweil West. In 2020, Aweil West experienced significant flooding in the third quarter, with an estimated 2,422 households across 118 villages along the River Lol impacted by the flooding and many of them fleeing to higher ground to escape rising waters.

INFRASTRUCTURE & SERVICES

Nyamlel, located in Gomjuer Centre Payam, is considered to be the headquarters of Aweil West County. The town of Aweil is the capital of Northern Bahr el-Ghazal State and falls on the border of Aweil Centre, Aweil West and Aweil East counties. Disagreement had previously arisen over the precise county boundaries in part due to competition over the right of county governments to tax and govern populations within the disputed area. This has caused tensions as newly appointed County Commissioners begin their work and make tours of the counties they have been appointed to administer.  This has also resulted in a decision to administer Aweil town as a separate administrative area governed by a municipal council instead of county governments and is no longer associated to one of the counties of Northern Bahr el-Ghazal State.

Aweil West County is home to eighty-nine (89) primary schools and six (6) secondary schools. There are currently no Early Childhood Development centres in Aweil West.

Aweil West County was reported to have forty-three (43) health facilities, all of which are deemed to be functional. Among the facilities are thirty-five (35) PHCUs, five (5) PHCCs and three (3) hospitals as of 2022. This means that there were an estimated 2.43 PHCUs per 15,000 people and 1.23 PHCCs per 50,000 people according to the WHO. The specific functionality of Aweil West’s three hospitals is not detailed.

According to OCHA’s Humanitarian Needs Overview 2023, nearly 133,000 people in the county have humanitarian needs (up from 129,300 in 2021), which accounts for approximately 65% of the estimated population for Aweil West County reported in the HNO.

South Sudan’s only rail track also used to run through Aweil on the way to Wau-Bananusa from Sudan. However, rail operations were suspended sometime after 2010 due to a range of issues, including the border closure, and the track has fallen into disrepair.

CONFLICT DYNAMICS

As with Aweil North and Aweil East counties, Aweil West was particularly affected by raiding from groups of pro-government Sudanese pastoralists (known locally as murahalin) during the second Sudanese civil war (1983-2005). A detailed narrative of these events – and their effects on cross-border relations – can be found in the profile for Aweil North County. Relations between Luo and the Palyoupiny clan of the Dinka Malual residing in Aweil West have been largely peaceful given decades of intermarriage and inter-dependent livelihoods.

During the second civil war, the areas around Aweil West’s Marial Bai and Nyamlel towns were focal points for violence after early 1986, when large-scale abductions by raiders from parts of the Rizeigat (who traditionally migrate with their cattle through western areas of the state) and Misseriya pastoralist communities who had aligned with the government in Khartoum were reported. Raiding continued into 1987, and contributed to mass displacement and famine conditions that peaked in 1988 in Northern Bahr el-Ghazal and nearby areas (Africa Watch 1990, p.118; Keen 1994/2008, pp.100-101). Although relations between the Dinka Malual and their Rizeigat and Misseriya neighbours experienced qualified improvements in the aftermath of the events of the 1980s, conflict resumed during parts of the 1990s, with Marial Bai and Nyamlel again being severely affected by militia attacks during a serious re-escalation in conflict in 1997 and 1998 (Kindersley 2018, p.25). Since the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2005 – which followed a series of peacebuilding initiatives within the Dinka Malual community, and between the Dinka Malual and the Misseriya and Rizeigat – cross-border relations have fluctuated, as is discussed further in the profile for Aweil North County.

Aweil West was not as directly affected by fighting the recent national conflict (2013-2018) when compared to other parts of the country. However, due to the county’s proximity to the border with Sudan there have been some defections and limited skirmishes between government and opposition forces who had transited to the border area after defecting from Western Bahr el-Ghazal State in 2014. This included a raid by defecting forces at Mayom Akueng in July 2014 (Small Arms Survey 2014, p.3). Local authorities told media that opposition forces were also involved in a number of operations in mid-2015, including in Aweil West (Radio Tamazuj 2015a; Sudan Tribune 2015). Tensions among military and political authorities, including the former governor of Northern Bahr el-Ghazal State had contributed to this instability in Aweil West until 2017 (Kindersley 2018, p.42; Boswell 2019; VOA 2017).

Following the shift to the 28 states system in late 2015, Aweil West (alongside Aweil North) was incorporated into Lol State along with Raja County (formerly of Western Bahr-el Ghazal State). This is one of only two instances where counties from two distinct states under the 10 states system were joined together under the 28/32 states system, with the other being the fusion of Jonglei’s Canal/Pigi County with parts of Upper Nile State. The merging of Raja with Aweil West and North counties was accompanied by reported political tensions (Radio Tamazuj 2015b; Sudan Tribune 2016).*** A series of arrests were also reported in Aweil West County in April 2016, though the circumstances surrounding these arrests were not clear (Radio Tamazuj 2016).

Since the return and reinstatement of leadership of defecting soldiers to the government in 2016, Aweil West has been relatively stable, though instances of localised violence (particularly relating to land) have occasionally been observed. In 2017, a dispute between parts of the Golbeny and Parek sub-sections occurred over the name given to the land. However, localised peace talks were facilitated by UNDP, where the two groups agreed to use the land’s original name (UNDP 2018). Additionally, a long-running land dispute involving a number of traditional leaders from Gomjuer West and Mariem West payams escalated in mid-2022 (The Radio Community 2022). The following February, a group of youth reportedly torched a local administrative headquarters in the same area in connection with a land dispute (The Radio Community 2023). In 2024, tensions reportedly increased following a land dispute in the Wadwil area, and involved authorities from Aweil West and Aweil North counties (Sudans Post 2024).

Isolated episodes of violence between groups of Dinka Malual and Rizeigat pastoralists have been reported in Aweil West in recent years (Radio Tamazuj 2020; Radio Tamazuj 2021), though at a limited scale compared to violence that took place during the second civil war. Following reported tensions between some civilians and soldiers based at the Pantit/Pantiit cantonment site near Nyamlel, consensus was reached on resolving issues following a dialogue between representatives of both communities that was facilitated by UNMISS in early 2020 (UNMISS 2020).

Following the outbreak of conflict in Sudan in April 2023, thousands of Sudanese refugees have arrived at a camp near Wedweil town in Aweil West (Radio Tamazuj 2023). These are primarily from the Rizeigat community, though members of the Masalit community from West Darfur State and residents of Nyala are also present at the camp. A number of Misseriya are reported to be among the refugees, including men who are allegedly attempting to avoid forcible conscription in Sudan (Madut Anei 2023). Many refugees experienced violence, looting or harassment whilst travelling through Sudan to the camp, whilst problems with sanitation and inadequate food provision are affecting refugees in the camp (MSF 2023).

ADMINISTRATION & LOGISTICS

Payams: Achana, Ayat Centre, Ayat East, Ayat West, Gomjuer Centre, Gomjuer East, Gomjuer West, Mariem East, Mariem West

UN OCHA 2020 map of Aweil West County: https://reliefweb.int/map/south-sudan/south-sudan-aweil-west-county-reference-map-march-2020

Roads:

• A primary road runs from Aweil town to Gorong via Nyamlel. The road was designated “passable with difficulties” during both the rainy and dry seasons of 2022.
• A secondary road runs west from Goron to Raja town (Western Bahr-el Ghazal State). This road was deemed “passable with difficulties” during both the rainy and dry seasons of 2022 and 2023 (respectively) by the Logistics Cluster, up until Gossinga in Raja County, where the road becomes impassable. Logistics Cluster maps indicate that a bypass road from Gossinga to Raja town is passable with difficulty.
• A primary road branches from Wedweil and runs towards the east of Ameeth to Malualkon in Aweil East County. The condition of the road is unknown.
• A primary road runs north of Nyamlel to Gok Machar (Aweil North County) and on to the border with Sudan. The condition of the road is unknown.
• A cluster of secondary and tertiary roads cover parts of the centre of Aweil West County. The condition of these roads is unknown.

UNHAS-recognised Heli and Fixed-Wing Airplane Airstrips: None
Additional MAF-Recognised Airstrips: Nyamlel

REFERENCES

Boswell, A. (2019). Insecure Power and Violence: The Rise and Fall of Paul Malong and the Mathiang Anyoor. Retrieved 18 July 2023.

Craze, J. (2013). Dividing lines: Grazing and conflict along the Sudan– South Sudan border. Small Arms Survey/HSBA. Retrieved 12 December 2023.

FAO/WFP. (2023). Special Report: FAO/WFP Crop and Food Security Assessment Mission to South Sudan. Retrieved 31 July 2023. See equivalent versions of the CFSAM report online for data from previous years.

FEWSNET. (2018). Livelihoods Zone Map and Descriptions for the Republic of South Sudan (Updated). Retrieved 10 July 2023.

Johnson, D.H. (2003). The Root Causes of Sudan’s Civil Wars. Oxford: James Currey.

Keen, D. (1994/2008). The Benefits of Famine: A Political Economy of Famine & Relief in Southwestern Sudan 1983-2005). Oxford: James Currey.

Kindersley, N. (2018). Politics, power and chiefship in famine and war A study of the former Northern Bahr el-Ghazal state, South Sudan. Rift Valley Institute. Retrieved 18 July 2023.

Kindersley, N. and Majok, J. (2019). Monetized Livelihoods and Militarized Labour in South Sudan’s Borderlands. Rift Valley Institute. Retrieved 18 July 2023.

Mahmud, U.A. and Baldo, S.A. (1987). The Dhein Massacre: Slavery in the Sudan, September 1987. Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Association. Retrieved via Sudan Open Archive on 22 February 2024.

Madut Anei, C. (2023). South Sudanese Perspectives on Sudan’s War: Deteriorating Humanitarian and Economic Conditions, and Rising Conflict Risks. LSE blog. Retrieved 26 February 2024.

Mawson, A. (1991). ‘Murahaleen Raids on the Dinka, 1985-89’, Disasters, 15 (2), pp.137-149. Retrieved 22 February 2024.

MSF. (2023). Sudan: “If they didn’t find money, they killed people in their homes”. Retrieved 9 November 2023.

OCHA. (2021). Humanitarian Needs Overview: South Sudan 2021. Retrieved 10 July 2023.

Radio Tamazuj. (2015a). SPLA-IO rebels claims capture of village in Aweil West County. Retrieved 6 October 2023.

Radio Tamazuj. (2015b). Tribal leaders in Raja reject newly created Lol State. Retrieved 26 February 2024.

Radio Tamazuj. (2016). Mass arrests in South Sudan’s Northern Bahr el Ghazal state. Retrieved 26 February 2024.

Radio Tamazuj. (2020). N. Bahr el Ghazal police arrest suspects over murder of two Sudanese herders. Retrieved 6 October 2023.

Radio Tamazuj. (2021). 2 shot and wounded in Aweil West. Retrieved 6 October 2023.

Radio Tamazuj. (2023). Aweil West: Sudanese refugees hope for peace. Retrieved 6 October 2023.

Small Arms Survey. (2014). The Conflict in Northern and Western Bahr el Ghazal States: Describing events through 10 October 2014. Retrieved 26 February 2024.

Sudans Post. (2024). Aweil chiefs suspended amid land dispute. Retrieved 7 May 2024.

Sudan Tribune. (2015). South Sudanese rebels occupy strategic areas in Northern Bahr el Ghazal. Retrieved 18 July 2023.

Sudan Tribune. (2016). Lol state Governor sacks deputy over defections to armed opposition. Retrieved 26 February 2024.

The Radio Community. (2022). Four chiefs arrested over violent land dispute in Aweil West. Retrieved 5 March 2024.

The Radio Community. (2023). Youth burn Payam headquarters over land grabbing in Aweil. Retrieved 5 March 2024.

UNDP. (2018). Reconciling Communities Impact Stories: Peace and Community Cohesion Project South Sudan. Retrieved 18 July 2023.

UNMISS. (2012). Northern Bahr el-Ghazal Counties Face Food Shortages. Retrieved 18 July 2023.

UNMISS. (2020). Forces in Pantit cantonment site and civilians agree to live in peace. Retrieved 4 March 2024.

VOA, Voice of America. (2017). South Sudan President Restructures SPLA leadership. Retrieved 6 October 2023.

REPORTS on AWEIL WEST

Africa Watch. (1990). Denying “the Honor of Living”: Sudan, a Human Rights Disaster. Retrieved 24 February 2024.

Amnesty International. (1989). Sudan Human Rights Violations in the Context of Civil War, December 1989. Retrieved via Sudan Open Archive on 22 February 2024.

Boswell, A. (2019). Insecure Power and Violence: The Rise and Fall of Paul Malong and the Mathiang Anyoor. Retrieved 18 July 2023.

IOM. (2013). Village Assessment Survey: County Atlas. Retrieved 18 July 2023.

Kindersley, N. and Majok, J.D. (2020). COVID-19 in South Sudan’s Borderlands A view from Northern Bahr el-Ghazal. Rift Valley Institute. Retrieved 18 July 2023.

Kindersley, N. and Majok, J.D. (2020). Breaking Out of the Borderlands: Understanding migrant pathways from Northern Bahr el-Ghazal, South Sudan. Rift Valley Institute. Retrieved 18 July 2023.

Kindersley, N. and Majok, J.D. (2022). ‘Class, cash and control in the South Sudan and Darfur borderlands’, Third World Thematics: A TWQ Journal, 7 (4-6), pp. 283-306. Retrieved 28 February 2024.

Kindersley, N. (2018). Politics, power and chiefship in famine and war: A study of the former Northern Bahr el-Ghazal state, South Sudan. Rift Valley Institute. Retrieved 18 July 2023.

Majok, J. D. (2021). War, Migration and Work – Agricultural labour and cross-border migration from Northern Bahr el-Ghazal, South Sudan. Rift Valley Institute. Rift Valley Institute. Retrieved 18 July 2023.

* Note: The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) Population Estimation Survey (PES) was published in April 2023 based on data collected in May-June 2021. This uses a different method to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Population Working Group (PWG) figures produced based on a combination of 2008 census data and population movement data up to 2022. The large discrepancies are primarily attributable to these different methods rather than changes in the actual population numbers over time and have been disputed by some civil society and analysts. Although the later PWG figures were produced more recently for the HNO 2023, at the request of the Government of South Sudan the data and method used by the PES is being used as the basis for the Common Operational Dataset (COD) for the UN system for the HNO 2024 and likely beyond. For further detail on this and other sources used in the county profiles, see the accompanying Methodological Note.

** Note: The NBS includes Aweil Town Payam (and its estimated population of 65,695 people) as being part of Aweil West County. UN OCHA population estimates for Northern Bahr-el Ghazal State do not explicitly state which county (or counties) encompasses the population of Aweil town.

*** Note: Lol State was dissolved upon the formation of the R-TGoNU in February 2020, when the administrative structure of South Sudan returned to a 10 state system (with the addition of three administrative areas). Aweil North and West were returned to Northern Bahr el-Ghazal State, and Raja was returned to Western Bahr el-Ghazal State. These alternative configurations can be viewed on the CSRF County Profiles by clicking the relevant button above the map.