Northern Bahr el Ghazal


Northern Bahr el Ghazal 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 South Darfur to the north, Western Bahr el Ghazal to the west and south, and Warrap and Abyei to the east. Aweil is the capital of the state.

History

Because of its proximity to Kordofan and the presence of a railway line through it to Wau, it suffered extensively in the 1983–2005 civil war in southern Sudan. North Bahr al Ghazal and adjacent parts of Western Kordofan to the north were among the most politically sensitive regions in Sudan. Missriya Arabs from Kordofan have interacted with Dinka in this region over a long time. While relations during the colonial era were largely peaceful, the war saw an upsurge in hostilities. Government backing to the Missriya gave them a decided advantage over local Dinka groups, and raiding by murahileen militias resulted in considerable loss of life, widespread abduction and pillaging of Dinka villages. Many of these raids coincided with the movement of government trains to and from Kordofan to Wau.
It had the highest rate of poverty, 76% according to government statistics, of the 10 states of South Sudan.

Government

Retired Gen. Salva Chol Ayat was the last Acting governor of the state. He replaced Kuel Aguer Kuel in April 2015.

Administration

Northern Bahr al Ghazal, like other states in South Sudan, is divided into counties; there are five counties, headed by a County Commissioner, as detailed below:
CountyArea Population
Census 2008		County Headquarter
Aweil North6,376.53129,127Gok Machar
Aweil East6,172.23309,921Wanyjok
Aweil South1,786.9573,806Malek Alel
Aweil West5,030.22166,217Nyamlell
Aweil Central11,177.4041,827Aweil

The counties are further divided into Payams, then Bomas.

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