Traditional Leaders Profiles
Paramount Chief Ireneo Kunda Tabur Unango of the
Balanda, Raga County, Bahr-el-Ghazal
‘It is a tradition…but
should we kill ourselves over it?’
‘I’m very proud of my 6 children, 4 girls and
2 boys. Despite everything, they are all educated,’
says a beaming Paramount Chief Ireneo Kunda Tabur Unango.
‘My first daughter finished university, married a Tanzanian
and is living in Zanzibar. My second daughter completed senior
standard, married a lawyer in Khartoum. My first son is working
in wildlife conservation in Wau. My next daughter is going
to California for further study. My other son is a graduate
of Bahr-el-Ghazal [University] in education. My last daughter
is working for NGOs.’
This 1964 Khartoum polytechnic graduate is more modest in
sharing his own achievements. Eventually he is drawn. ‘I
went to a teacher training centre in 1965. In those days,
the British offered southerners opportunities to study through
the British Council. I lived in Manchester, and have fond
memories of the UK. I learned about different types of pumps,’
he says.
Formally trained as a water engineer, Chief Ireneo rose to
the position of director-general in his ministry. ‘When
I came back [from the UK], the government was still functioning,
until southerners were told to serve in the north in 1983.
I was serving in Juba…when the army reached Bor, everyone
went back to their states. There was murdering and killing,
everyone was suspected of collaborating with the SPLA. At
night time, at 6, everybody was in. There was only the sound
of guns. I’m retired now, but I serve as a consultant
to the state government.’
In 1993 he became chief of the Balanda of Raga County. ‘My
people are from Congo, Central Africa. It was hard to work
during the war. There was no gathering for trials during the
war, for example. It would be suspected of being an SPLA meeting.’
‘I wanted to retire, and an election was held to replace
me. But after a few years it was felt, the [new] chief, he
cannot pave the way for the people. So I was asked to come
back. Initially, I rejected the offer. But this is democracy,
my personal relationship with the people was good, so I came
back [in 2001].’
‘In Western Bahr-el-Ghazal, there are fewer problems
because there are fewer cattle. [We have] cassava, sorghum,
maize. A few Dinka in Wau have sold the cattle, opened shops.
[But many] don’t want to sell them, [they are] keeping
them for marriages. Of course this brings many problems. It
is a tradition…but should we kill ourselves over it?’
With such an accomplished family, it’s no surprise
to learn Chief Ireneo’s first concern. ‘My big
worry…education is not free. Basic schools are supposed
to be free, but still require pencils, books, etc. We should
be paying half the fees of our senior students.’
‘It’s so painful to be a 2nd class citizen in
your own country. Without further education, we always will
be.’
‘What I have learned [from this trip] is to try to
give back to our country. So I will keep working for my 20
grandchildren, for all the other children.’
