Fangak County
Encyclopedia
Fangak County is an administrative area in the north of Jonglei
state, South Sudan
, with headquarters in the town of Fam al Zaraf.
to the south, Piji County to the east, Panyikang County of Upper Nile State
in the northeast, and Ruweng County in the north.
Fam al Zaraf town, the county headquarters, lies where the Bahr el Zeraf
enters the White Nile
from the east.
The Zeraf island, in which the town of Old Fangak is located, comprises a large part of the county. The island, much of which is within the Block 5A
oilfield, is between the White Nile, or Bahr el Jebel, to the west and the Bahr el Zeraf to the east.
Most of the inhabitants of Fangak County belong to the Laak and Thiang sections of the Nuer people.
The people are agro-pastoralist, growing crops for personal use and for sale by traditional agricultural techniques and raising cattle.
Cattle are central to the culture, exchanged in marriages, and provide milk, meat and hides.
attacked three operational outposts of the Sudan People's Liberation Army
(SPLA). They briefly occupied the town of Fangak before withdrawing when SPLA troops arrived. Several people died in the conflict.
Later the SPLA reported that at least 105 people had been killed, mostly women and children.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon
, called for immediate implementation of the January ceasefire agreement.
In June 2011 James Maluit Ruach, Commissioner of Fangak County, said that the security situation was under control but that Athor's forces had sown land mines, which urgently needed to be cleared.
Jonglei
Jonglei is one of the 10 states of South Sudan. Jonglei is the largest state in the Republic of South Sudan, with approximately 122,479 km2, as well as the most populous according to the controversial 2008 census conducted during present-day South Sudan's second period of autonomy. Bor is the...
state, South Sudan
South Sudan
South Sudan , officially the Republic of South Sudan, is a landlocked country located in the Sahel region of northeastern Africa. It is also part of the North Africa UN sub-region. Its current capital is Juba, which is also its largest city; the capital city is planned to be moved to the more...
, with headquarters in the town of Fam al Zaraf.
Location
The county is located between Guit County in Unity State to the west, Ayod CountyAyod County
Ayod County is an administrative area in Jonglei state, South Sudan, with headquarters in Ayod.In the January 2011 referendum the results were unanimously in favor of independence from Sudan.-Health issues:...
to the south, Piji County to the east, Panyikang County of Upper Nile State
Upper Nile
Upper Nile is one of the 10 states of South Sudan. The current governor of Upper Nile, and its first governor in the independence era of South Sudan, is Simon Kun Puoch. The White Nile flows through the state, giving it its name. The state also shares a similar name with the region of Greater Upper...
in the northeast, and Ruweng County in the north.
Fam al Zaraf town, the county headquarters, lies where the Bahr el Zeraf
Bahr el Zeraf
The Bahr el Zeraf is an arm of the White Nile in the Sudd region of South Sudan, Africa. It is completely contained within the South Sudanese state of Jonglei...
enters the White Nile
White Nile
The White Nile is a river of Africa, one of the two main tributaries of the Nile from Egypt, the other being the Blue Nile. In the strict meaning, "White Nile" refers to the river formed at Lake No at the confluence of the Bahr al Jabal and Bahr el Ghazal rivers...
from the east.
The Zeraf island, in which the town of Old Fangak is located, comprises a large part of the county. The island, much of which is within the Block 5A
Block 5A, South Sudan
Block 5A is an oil concession in South Sudan.After oil field development began during the Second Sudanese Civil War, Block 5A was the scene of extensive fighting as rival militias struggled for control....
oilfield, is between the White Nile, or Bahr el Jebel, to the west and the Bahr el Zeraf to the east.
People
The 2008 census estimated that the population of the county was 110,130.Most of the inhabitants of Fangak County belong to the Laak and Thiang sections of the Nuer people.
The people are agro-pastoralist, growing crops for personal use and for sale by traditional agricultural techniques and raising cattle.
Cattle are central to the culture, exchanged in marriages, and provide milk, meat and hides.
Security issues
In February 2011, forces loyal to the rebel General George AthorGeorge Athor
George Athor Deng, who holds the Sudan People's Liberation Army rank of Lieutenant General, is a SPLA dissident and also a former unsuccessful 'independent' candidate for the leadership of Jonglei State, Sudan. Jonglei State is one of the more influential states in South Sudan...
attacked three operational outposts of the Sudan People's Liberation Army
Sudan People's Liberation Army
The Sudan People's Liberation Movement is a political party in South Sudan. It was initially founded as a rebel political movement with a military wing known as the Sudan People's Liberation Army estimated at 180,000 soldiers. The SPLM fought in the Second Sudanese Civil War against the Sudanese...
(SPLA). They briefly occupied the town of Fangak before withdrawing when SPLA troops arrived. Several people died in the conflict.
Later the SPLA reported that at least 105 people had been killed, mostly women and children.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon
Ban Ki-moon
Ban Ki-moon is the eighth and current Secretary-General of the United Nations, after succeeding Kofi Annan in 2007. Before going on to be Secretary-General, Ban was a career diplomat in South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in the United Nations. He entered diplomatic service the year he...
, called for immediate implementation of the January ceasefire agreement.
In June 2011 James Maluit Ruach, Commissioner of Fangak County, said that the security situation was under control but that Athor's forces had sown land mines, which urgently needed to be cleared.