By Alan Clement
A member of parliament representing Northern Bahr el Ghazal raised concerns over what he describes as a breach of national territorial integrity in the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA).
MP Gabriel Guot Guot who raised the issue as an information in parliament cited misrepresentation of River Kiir and surrounding areas on global mapping platforms after he discovered that the areas are shown as part of Sudan’s Eastern Darfur region.
“River Kiir is a river that runs north of Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, and specifically in Aweil North County. This river runs from a place called Panthou to Kiir Adeng, Burbein, and goes through to Abyei Administrative Area. There have been no disputes on this place for centuries,” Guot told the House.
Guot emphasized that the area from Panthou to Kiir Adeng and Burbein, extending into the Abyei Administrative Area has long been recognized as South Sudanese territory. He referenced the 1968 general elections, noting that the areas served as registration and polling stations for people traveling to Khartoum.
“That part is an international border, it is not a provincial or a district border, as it was. It’s not only for Northern Bahr el Ghazal. So now, on Google, this area is shown as belonging to Eastern Darfur,” he said expressing personal concern by revealing that he was born in the disputed area.
In response, Deputy Speaker Parmena Awerial Aluong assured the assembly that the matter is being addressed.
He confirmed that eight ministers have been summoned to clarify the situation, including those responsible for foreign affairs and national security.
“They will come in four stages, or two stages, four and four, or two and two,” Awerial explained.
“That issue will be answered by them; what has altered the map of the Republic of South Sudan, where the area has been taken to the report. When the ministers come, they will answer your question, and you will hear from them very soon,” Deputy Speaker Parmena Awerial Aluong stressed during the TNLA sitting.
River Kiir region has long been a lifeline for communities in Northern Bahr el Ghazal, but it’s reclassification on international maps has raised eyebrows especially as the country is grappling with border disputes and incursions from neighboring countries.