Traditional Leaders Profiles
Emir Kuol Deng Kuol of the Dinka Ngok, Abyei
‘The war took place in
the morning; we can still take place in the evening.’
‘I was elected on 19 February 1976. I was selected
very young, I am not the son of the eldest wife, but in 1969
and 1970, 3 of my brothers and 2 of my uncles were assassinated,’
recounts the Emir of the Dinka Ngok in the contested region
of Abyei, Kuol Deng Kuol.
As much his own history as that of the region, the legacy
of Abyei weighs heavily on this man. ‘In 1969, I was
in intermediate school in Omdurman. In 1970, my brothers were
killed. In 1972, President Nimeiri declared Abyei to be part
of the south. He also abolished chieftancy in Abyei. A Special
Administration was appointed, for 4 years, until 1976. Some
of the elders were abroad, there were unofficial chiefs, they
were under pressure. The will of the people was not the will
of the government. In 1976, the elders elected me as recognition
of this.’
‘I did not join the SPLM. I was independent. All of
the people cannot go. I opposed the killing of the villagers
regardless. I was imprisoned for my ideas, twice, in 1980,
in 1983. Of my people, if there were 500,000, maybe 20-30,000
remain. I was accused of starting the SPLA [in my area] by
state security. We had clashes with the Messeriya, over land,
cattle. But I think like this. The war took place in the morning;
we can still take place in the evening.’
As to the present, the Emir’s tone is optimistic, but
one senses there is great unease beneath the surface. ‘The
role played by traditional leaders is very minimal. Still,
we have not learned to cooperate. I think we can face any
problem, that GOSS can resolve Dinka-Dinka clashes.’
He is reluctant to give too many specifics. ‘I have
seen everything. The ABC report (the Abyei Boundaries Commission)
could lead to war, but I don’t accept that it will be
the same as before. I am still hopeful.’
It is apparent from his reflections on the trip where else
he feels responsibility should lie for Abyei. ‘They
(the leaders) are much in touch with their governments. They
are able to do their work freely, without persuasion. What
made these 3 countries to be at these top levels? Previous
recognition given by colonisers.’
‘We have been overwhelmed by the reception we have
received everywhere we have gone…a genuine cultural
respect. All this time it has just been names, this country,
this country. We will take from here, from there. We cannot
know each other without taking.’
