Sudanese herders seek citizenship in South Sudan

AWEIL – Sudanese Fallata nomads, also known as Ambororo, have requested citizenship in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, citing livestock deaths and conflict in Sudan as reasons for seeking permanent settlement in South Sudan.

The Amborroro, historically from West Africa, are pastoralists who traditionally migrate with their herds. However, facing hardship, some have chosen to remain in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State.

Akok Lual, the mayor of Majok-Yithiou Municipality in Aweil East County, which borders Sudan, said in a phone interview on Monday that over 130 Fallata herders have approached the municipality requesting citizenship.

Lual told Sudans Post that the herders have suffered significant losses of livestock.

“Their cattle died miserably and as a result some people say they don’t want to go back to where they go to graze their animals,” Lual said. “Some lost every cattle, and they have said they could appreciate if taken into consideration to acquire land in the municipality.”

He added that an unknown disease killed their cattle during a flood, and that despite vaccinations, no cure was found.

“The unknown disease killed their cows during flood and no cure has occurred even though the inoculation was given to their cattle,” he noted.

Lual said he would report the matter to state authorities.

“I will report the matter to the state authorities to look into the quest of the Fallata people as we have registered them and put them together with the refugees, but they opt to stay alone as members of the local population and never be merged together with the Sudanese refugees,” he said.

Fallata herders are known to move through forested areas in various parts of South Sudan, including Western Equatoria and parts of Aroyo and Raya in the Bahr el Ghazal region.