Traditional Leaders Profiles
Emir Yagoub Gibril Abdalli Makki of Moro, Kadugli,
Nuba Mountains, South Kordofan
‘People are not living
in the correct way.’
‘I have not yet started as emir, [and am] a little
anxious to go back, to unite the people, to show them the
fact of unity,’ says the incoming Emir of Moro, Kadugli
county, Yagoub Gibril Abdalli Makki.
The Emir estimates that his area has some 80,000 people spread
among 60 villages. The former school headmaster worked as
a paymaster for the Kadugli county administration for 18 years,
but is keen to expand his scope of concern. ‘People
are not living in the correct way. We need to change some
traditions. On my return, [I] will gather people to start
a new administration. He feels he was chosen ‘because
I can easily mobilise people,’ and once the administration
is in place, ‘the unity amongst themselves is far better.’
He sees challenges to his agenda, though. ‘The Nuba,
they keep to themselves and their traditions. In the first
instance we must plan before I approach my people. Bit by
bit to make them understand. The people are poor and backward.
I will continue working until recognised as leader. [We must]
enlighten people to spread it all over the area.’ There
is a structure, the ‘traditional ways,’ he says,
Emir Yagoub’s legacy as a teacher is clear when he
lists his development priorities: English training and adult
education. But thoughts meander slightly as we walk through
one of Gaborone’s shopping centres. ‘Nuba children
need good shoes!’ he laughs. He is searching for gifts
for his 16 children, and sadly realises that he has no space,
let alone the money, to carry back 16 pairs of Bata shoes.
In Nairobi, he scolds a prostitute who exclaims her burning
desire to go to Sudan. Seemingly addressing both of us with
his disapproval, he snaps, ‘you are young, pay attention!’
A few minutes later, the Emir’s thoughts return to
his own life, and that of his people. He grows silent before
reminiscing on his experience in the army. ‘I learned
much, to become a brave soldier. [We were fighting] not just
guns, but hunger and disease. [Now] we want a free hand to
express [our] own opinion, as they have outside. Nobody will
dominate us.’
