Aweil, South Sudan

Last updated
Aweil
Mading Aweil
Aweil.jpg
Aerial photo of Aweil (2007).
South Sudan adm location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Aweil
Location in South Sudan
Coordinates: 08°46′02″N27°23′59″E / 8.76722°N 27.39972°E / 8.76722; 27.39972
CountryFlag of South Sudan.svg  South Sudan
State Northern Bahr el Ghazal
County Aweil Center County
Government
   State Governor Tong Akeen Ngor
Elevation
425 m (1,394 ft)
Population
 (2010)
  Total33,537
Time zone UTC+2 (CAT)
Climate Aw

Aweil is a city located in South Sudan. It is the capital of Northern Bahr el Ghazal state and the administrative centre of Aweil Center county. [1] It is also a service centre for the surrounding villages. Refugees, war displaced returnees, nomadic cattle keepers and local families moving seasonally with their animals to source water give Aweil a mobile population. [2]

Contents

History

Aweil is an area which was affected by the slave trade in the 19th century and by civil war in the 20th century. It was the capital of Aweil State, a government area which existed between 2000 and 2020.

Geography

The town lies in the northwest of South Sudan on the A43. It is approximately 100 km south of the international border with the Republic of Sudan. The disputed region of Abyei is to the East.

Juba, the capital of South Sudan, is approximately 637 km to the South. [3] The nearest larger town is Wau. There are several villages near to Aweil, some on the A43 and others in the countryside. Ashana Game Reserve is approximately 30 km to the west.

The topography is flat and prone to flooding. However, at an elevation of 425 m (1,394 ft) Aweil is on higher ground than the surrounding plains. [4] The city lies close to the confluence of the Lol River with the Pongo River. The average elevation of the city of Aweil is about 425 metres (1,394 ft) above sea level. [5]

Climate

Aweil is located in a Tropical savanna climate (classification Aw) with, usually, a dry winter. Summer can also be dry despite Aweil being in the tropics. The dry weather can develop to drought. [6] [7]

The district’s mean annual high temperature is 30.39ºC (86.7ºF) . The mean annual low temperature is 23.2°C (74.52°F). Aweil's average annual precipitation is 95.08 mm (3.74 in). The average number of rain days per year is 125.39. [6] Aweil had flooding rain in 2019. In 2020, drought weather in July was followed by high rainfall in August which interrupted crop production. [8]

Demographics

Thatched huts in Aweil, South Sudan Sudan Aweil huts 2006.jpg
Thatched huts in Aweil, South Sudan

In November 2008, Médecins Sans Frontières estimated the town's population at about 100,000, but there is no verified population figure. [9] In 2024, the population was estimated to be 38,745. [10]

The two main ethnic groups are Dinka and Luwo. A majority of voters support the Sudan People's Liberation Movement. [11] Arabic language is used in Aweil in some households and public places but not widely. [12]

Economy

Aweil is a service town to farming villages. Products from agriculture include cattle, Sorghum, ground nuts and sesame. There are nearby rivers for fishing. Farming in a difficult environment has led to food insecurity. [11]

Economic development projects near Aweil include a teak plantation, a rice plantation and a women's market. [13]

Infrastructure and services

Transport

Aweil tar-mac road near Aweil (Aweil East border to Koum). Aweil Road.jpg
Aweil tar-mac road near Aweil (Aweil East border to Koum).

The Khartoum - Aweil - Wau, South Sudan railway line was constructed in 1961. [14] After a period of disuse due to civil war damage, the line from Aweil to Wau and the station were restored to use in 2010. [15]

Aweil airstrip is located 4.4 km (2.4 nm) northwest of Aweil's city center. There is a packed dirt runway of about 2000 m (6600 ft) in length. Its ICAO name is HSAW. Confirmation of the airport's condition is needed prior to any approach. [16] Four accidents at the airstrip have occurred since 1973. Three of the four involved military aircraft. Two of these were attributed to attacks by surface to air missiles. [17] In 2024, the airstrip is used by Badr Airlines transporting non-government organisation passengers and cargo to and from Aweil and Juba each Monday. [18]

In the town, transport options include taxis, boda bodas (motocycle taxis). [19]

Education

Aweil woman football coach, Awein Atak Makak Aweil women coaches (Awein Atak Makak).jpg
Aweil woman football coach, Awein Atak Makak

The St. Mary's Girls Secondary School is owned and administered by the Aweil Diocese of the Episcopal Church of the Sudan (ECS) [20]

Health

Aweil Civil Hospital is a referral hospital, one of the three in South Sudan. [21]

Culture and religion

Peace and unity

In April 2023, Northern Bahr El Ghazal’s State Ministry of Culture with support from the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) held a peace celebration in Aweil. The theme of the festival was “Unity in diversity” reflecting Aweil (and South Sudan's) ethnic diversity. [22] In August 2024, national culture day was celebrated at the Dr. John Garang Mausoleum with the theme, "Our Culture, Our Coexistence". The Aweil News Agency covered the event in depth with video footage at the agency's Facebook page.

Religion

The Catholic Church is present in Aweil at St. George's church.

Sports

Madut Aluk's son Clement Ker, Real Madrid's Aweilian fan Madut Aluk son.jpg
Madut Aluk's son Clement Ker, Real Madrid's Aweilian fan

Association football (soccer) is a popular sport in Aweil. The Aweil Stars FC and opponents play at the Aweil sportsground. Fans follow their favourite Spanish teams such as Real Madrid CF. [23]

Non-government organisations

Pan Aweil Development Agency (PADA) was founded in 2009 and recognised by the Southern Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Commission in 2010. The founder is William Kolong Pioth, one of the Lost Boys of Sudan. The agency supports small scale local business ventures in key areas such as agriculture, water sanitation and community development. It also fosters peaceful conflict resolution in the nearby border regions. [24]

The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) maintains a presence in Aweil. [25]

Notable people

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northern Bahr el Ghazal</span> State of South Sudan

Northern Bahr el Ghazal(Arabic: ولاية شمال بحر الغزال) is a state in South Sudan. It has an area of 30,543 km2 and is part of the Bahr el Ghazal region. It borders East Darfur in Sudan to the north, Western Bahr el Ghazal to the west and south, and Warrap and the disputed region of Abyei to the east. Aweil is the capital of the state.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wau, South Sudan</span> City in Bahr el Ghazal, South Sudan

Wau is a town, locally referred to as a city, in northwestern South Sudan on the western bank of Jur River It is the capital of Western Bahr el Ghazal region in South Sudan. It lies approximately 650 kilometres (400 mi) northwest of the capital, Juba. It is a diverse small urban center (town) and a trading hub. The city has been a municipality since 2012 and is governed by a mayor who the state governor usually appoints. The city comprises several neighborhoods including Nazareth, Hai Fahal, Sika Hadid, and Daraja.

Aweil Airport is an airport serving the town of Aweil, in South Sudan.

University of Northern Bahr el Ghazal (UNBEG) is a university in South Sudan.

University of Bahr El-Ghazal (UBG) is a university in South Sudan located in Wau, the capital of Western Bahr El Ghazal State.

The South Sudan National Cup is an annual knockout association football competition in men's domestic South Sudanese football. Organized by the South Sudan Football Association, the cup began in 2012, not long after South Sudan gained independence.

The Luo are a Nilotic ethnic group that live in Western Bhar Gazal, South Sudan. They are part of a larger group of ethno-linguistically related Luo people of East Africa. They speak the Luo language

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aweil State</span> State of South Sudan from 2015 to 2020

Aweil State was a state in South Sudan that existed between 2 October 2015 and 22 February 2020. It was located in the Bahr el Ghazal region and it borders Gogrial to the east, Lol to the west, Aweil East to the north, and Wau to the south. Its capital and largest city was Aweil.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aweil East State</span> State of South Sudan from 2015 to 2020

Aweil East also known as Abiem, was a state in South Sudan that existed between 2 October 2015 and 22 February 2020. It had an estimated population of 571,728 people and an area of 6,172.23 KM square. It was located in northern-western South Sudan. Its capital and largest city was Wanyjok. The state is located in the Bahr el Ghazal region and it bordered Twic State and Gogrial State to the east, Aweil State to the south, Lol State to the west, the disputed Abyei State region to the northeast, and Sudan to the north.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lol State</span> State in South Sudan from 2015 to 2020

The Lol State was a state of South Sudan with the capital in Raga, that existed between 2 October 2015 and 22 February 2020. It was located in the Bahr el Ghazal region, which is in the northwest section of the country. Lol state bordered Haut-Mbomou and Haute-Kotto in the Central African Republic to the west, South Darfur and East Darfur in Sudan to the north, the disputed region of Kafia Kingi to the northwest, Aweil East State to the northeast, Aweil State to the east, Gbudwe State to the south, and Wau State to the southeast. The state was created alongside 27 other states after a decree issuing the creation of 28 states took place. It was dissolved at the conclusion of the South Sudanese Civil War.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wau State</span> State of South Sudan from 2015 to 2020

Wau State was a state in South Sudan that existed between 2 October 2015 and 22 February 2020. It was located in the Bahr el Ghazal region, and was part of the former state of Western Bahr el Ghazal. Wau State bordered Aweil State, Gbudwe State, Gogrial State, Lol State, and Tonj State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tonj State</span> State of South Sudan from 2015 to 2020

Tonj State was a state in South Sudan that existed between 2 October 2015 and 22 February 2020. It was located in the Bahr el Ghazal region and it bordered Wau to the west, Gbudwe to the southwest, Gogrial to the northwest, Northern Liech to the northeast, Gok and Southern Liech to the east, and Western Lakes to the south and east.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gogrial State</span> State of South Sudan from 2015 to 2020

Gogrial State was a state in South Sudan that existed between 2 October 2015 and 22 February 2020. It was located in the Bahr el Ghazal region and it bordered Twic to the north, Aweil East to the northwest, Aweil to the west, Wau to the southwest, Tonj to the southeast, and Northern Liech to the northeast.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wau County</span> County of Western Bahr el Ghazal, South Sudan

Wau County is a county in Western Bahr el Ghazal state, in the Bahr el Ghazal region of South Sudan. Wau County was home to the state's capital, Wau. It is the most populous county in the state with over 232,910 people.

Wanjok is a town in the Aweil East County, Republic of South Sudan.

The 2014 retreat from Western Bahr el Ghazal, also called the long march north, was an unorganized withdrawal by hundreds of Nuer Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) deserters who sought to flee from Bahr el Ghazal to Sudan during the South Sudanese Civil War. After longstanding tensions between SPLA soldiers belonging to the Dinka and Nuer ethnic groups escalated on 25 April 2014, leading to a massacre of Nuer soldiers at Mapel in Western Bahr el Ghazal, a large number of Nuer SPLA soldiers deserted to escape ethnic prosecution and loyalist SPLA forces. Though some deserters joined SPLM-IO rebels or surrendered to the government, a large number of them marched northward, joined by other SPLA defectors from Northern Bahr el Ghazal. After covering over 400 kilometres (250 mi), this trek eventually arrived in Sudan on 4 August 2014, where they were disarmed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aweil South County</span> County in Northern Barh el Ghazal, South Sudan

Aweil South County, sometimes called Paliet, is an administrative area in Northern Bahr el Ghazal state, in the Bahr el Ghazal region of South Sudan, bordering Warrap State to the south. It is located in the southeastern part of NBGs. It is also known by the name Paliet, and one of the counties consisting of three major Dinka tribal groups: Ajak, Boncuai and Kongdeer. It was founded in 2000 and headquartered in Boncuai in a place called Mangar-Gier. In 2004, the headquarters were shifted to Malek Alel in Ajak. It is bordered to the north by Aweil East and to the west by Aweil Centre, to the south east by Gogrial State, and to the southwest by Western Barh el Ghazal state respectively.

Areya is a town in Northern Bahr el Ghazal, South Sudan.

Awoda is a town in Northern Bahr el Ghazal, South Sudan.

Emmanuel Kembe is a South Sudanese reggae musician.

References

  1. "Additional Counties Established In Aweil East > Gurtong Trust > Editorial". www.gurtong.net.
  2. Kerstin Danert (25 October 2013) Northern Bahr el Ghazal State Framework and Implementation Programme for Operation and Maintenance of Water Supplies. Ministry of Water, Cooperatives and Rural Development and Skat Foundation. pdf document: p2.
  3. "Distance Calculator Find Distance Between Cities". www.distancecalculator.net. Retrieved 2024-08-17.
  4. "Floods swamp south Sudan region". BBC News. 1 September 2010.
  5. "Aweil Airport, Sudan". www.internationalaircharter.com.
  6. 1 2 "Aweil, Northern Bahr el Ghazal, SS Climate Zone, Monthly Averages, Historical Weather Data". weatherandclimate.com. Retrieved 2024-08-17.
  7. "Tropical savanna climate (Aw) | SKYbrary Aviation Safety". skybrary.aero. Retrieved 2024-08-17.
  8. "Northern Bahr el Ghazal Climate Impact & Displacement Profile - South Sudan, December 2020 - South Sudan | ReliefWeb". reliefweb.int. 2021-03-27. Retrieved 2024-08-17.
  9. "Estimated Population of Aweil In November 2008". Archived from the original on October 2, 2011.
  10. "Population of Cities in South Sudan 2024". worldpopulationreview.com. Retrieved 2024-08-18.
  11. 1 2 "Aweil Centre - csrf-southsudan". www.csrf-southsudan.org. 2020-03-31. Retrieved 2024-08-17.
  12. Aziz S.A.; Abu-Manga A.M. (2021) The situation of Arabic language in Aweil town in South Sudan at the dawn of the secession. ResearchGate. doi 10.17051/ilkonline.2021.05.859.
  13. "Filming in Aweil City in South Sudan - Eco Film Fixers". 2023-03-20. Retrieved 2024-08-18.
  14. Post, Sudans (2020-11-17). "Khartoum-Aweil-Wau rail network to reopen - VP Abdelbaggi". Sudans Post. Retrieved 2024-08-18.
  15. "Railways in South Sudan". www.sinfin.net. Retrieved 2024-08-18.
  16. "Aweil Airport | HSAW | Pilot info | Sudan". Metar-Taf.com. Retrieved 2024-08-18.
  17. "Aweil | Bureau of Aircraft Accidents Archives". www.baaa-acro.com. Retrieved 2024-08-18.
  18. ":: Badr Airlines ::". badrairlines.com. Retrieved 2024-08-18.
  19. "Aweil - Expats Travel Together!". 2023-11-01. Retrieved 2024-08-18.
  20. "Abraham Nhial Ministry".
  21. "Aweil Civil Hospital | EA Health". www.eahealth.org. Retrieved 2024-08-18.
  22. "South Sudan: Aweil town cultural peace festival holds amid calls for unity". Africanews. 2023-04-14. Retrieved 2024-08-17.
  23. Aweil News Agency (17 August 2024) Yirol West County Football Team has been crowned as Champions of the Bahr El Ghazal Counties League Tournament's Second Edition. Facebook https://www.facebook.com/p/Aweil-News-Agency-100063881714435/
  24. "PADA". Pan Aweil Development Agency. Retrieved 2024-08-17.
  25. "Security Council Renews United Nations Mission in South Sudan for One Year, Adopting Resolution 2729 (2024) by Vote of 13 in Favour, 2 Abstentions | Meetings Coverage and Press Releases". press.un.org. Retrieved 2024-08-18.

08°46′48″N27°24′00″E / 8.78000°N 27.40000°E / 8.78000; 27.40000