Western Equatoria

Western Equatoria
State
Flag Seal
Nickname: The Green State
Motto: State Under God's Control
Location in South-West of South Sudan.
Coordinates:05°19′N28°24′E
Country	South Sudan
Region	Equatoria
No. of counties:	10
Province/State	1976/1995
Capital	Yambio
Government
• Type	Autocracy System
• Governor	Maj. GeneralAlfred Futiyo Karaba
Area
• Total	79,342.66 km2(30,634.37 sq mi)
Population (2017 estimate)
• Total	803,263
• Density	10/km2(26/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+2(CAT)
Area code	211
HDI(2019)	0.430 low·2nd of 10

Youth of Yambio

Children in Yambio, Western Equatoria, South Sudan

Western Equatoriais astateinSouth Sudan.It has an area of 79,343 square kilometres (30,635 sq mi). The state capital isYambio.The state was divided into counties, each headed by a County Commissioner. Western Equatoria seceded fromSudanas part of the Republic of South Sudan on 9 July 1956. On October 2, 2011, the state was divided intoAmadi,Maridi,andGbudwestates, andTambura Statewas split from Gbudwe state on January 14, 2015. Western Equatoria was re-established by a peace agreement signed on 22 February 2020.

History

Since the 16th century, Western Equatoria has been a home to theAvokaya,Azande,Baka,Moru,MunduandBalanda.

The Mahdist Revolt of the 1880s destabilized the nascent province, andEquatoriaceased to exist as an Egyptian outpost in 1889. Important settlements in Equatoria included Lado, Gondokoro, Dufile and Wadelai. European colonial maneuverings in the region came to a head in 1898, when the Fashoda Incident occurred at present-day Kodok; Britain and France almost went to war over the region.[21] In 1947, British hopes to join South Sudan with Uganda, while leaving Western Equatoria as part of Belgian Congo were dashed by the Juba Conference to unify North and South Sudan.

In the middle of the twentieth century, after Sudan's independence in 1956, Western Equatorians sacrificed their life for over 5 decades liberating in movements for the independence of South Sudanese, including theAnya Nyaled by, Joseph Lagu and theSudan People's Liberation Army/Movement(SPLA/M), led byJohn Garangde Mabior, as they envisioned of New Sudan. Western Equatoria was also known as the breadbasket state for liberators during both civil wars.

Western Equatoria was separated from its sister state of Eastern Equatoria, becoming a province in 1976and the two Equatoria provinces were once again inaugurated into 3 statehoods of Western Equatoria, Central Equatoria and Eastern Equatoria in the midst of the 1990s. Hence, there was a plan to re-unify the 3 sister states back into regions after the implementation of South Sudan's federal system. But many suggested the three states should remain in place with each governor, while having a governor general to oversee the Greater Equatoria region.

Counties

There are 10 counties in Western Equatoria:

• Yambio CountyCapital:Yambio
• Nzara CountyCapital:Nzara
• Ibba CountyCapital: Ibba
• Ezo CountyCapital:Ezo
• Maridi CountyCapital:Maridi
• Tambura CountyCapital:Tumbura
• Mundri West CountyCapital: Mundri
• Mvolo CountyCapital: Mvolo
• Nagero CountyCapital: Nagero
• Mundri East CountyCapital: Kedi'ba

Other important towns in Western Equatoria were: Nagero, Duma, Namutina, Jambo, Rasul,Lui,Tore, Muroko, Manguo, Mambe, Kotobi, Yarri, Farak Sika, Madebe, Bangasu, Rimenze, Bazungua, Makpandu, Nadiangere, Kua Diko, Ri-Rangu,Nabiapai,Gangura, Birisi, Ndoromo, Bangazagino, Sangua, Basukangbi Ringasi, Diabio, Yangiri,Ri-Kwangba,Bafuka, Naandi, Andari,Ri-Yubu,Mopai and Sakure.

Governor of Western Equatoria

• 1976 – 1982: H.EBarnaba Kisanga
• 1982 – 1984: H.ECharles Ali Bilal
• 1984 – 1984: H.ESamuel Abu-John Kabbashi**Lasted 7 days only on first term**
• 1984 – 1985: H.EJames Bazia
• 1985 – 1987: H.E Brig.Dominic Kassiano Dombo
• 1987 – 1989: H.ERaphael Zamoi
• 1989 – 1991: H.E Brig.Dominic Dabi Monango
• 1994 – 2005:***Due to war in the state, multiple Commissioners/Governors Governed based in Khartoum, Sudan***
• 2005: H.E Maj. GeneralPatrick Zamoi**Lasted 6–7 months only on first term**
• 2005 – 2008: H.ESamuel Abu-John Kabbashi*Died in office*
• 2008 – 2010: H.EJemma Nunu Kumba
• 2010 – 2015: H.E Col.Joseph B. Bakosoro
• 2015: H.E Maj. GeneralPatrick Zamoi*Served until the state was divided into multiple states, then served as Governor ofTombura Stateuntil Western Equatoria State was restored back to a single state*
• 2015–2020:**State broken up; 6successor stategovernors**
• 2020 – present: H.E Maj. GeneralAlfred Futiyo Karaba

Economy and demographics

The economy of Western Equatoria is largely agricultural, with high-quality timber being one of its most important products.

Western Equatoria region is the home of theMoru people,the Zande,Baka,Avukaya,Bari,Bongo,Jur BeliandJur Manangertribes.

See also

• Central Equatoria
• Eastern Equatoria
• Equatoria

External links

• South Sudan Internet radio
• Equatorians Abroad
• Video of Equatorians Abroad