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49-576: The splinter group gets its name from the Nasir Declaration , the document written by the group prior their secession. The Second Sudanese Civil War had begun in 1983 as a response to the status of the underdeveloped South Sudan in relation to the administrative and economic center of Khartoum . The southern rebel groups quickly became dominated by the Sudan People's Liberation Army under John Garang , an ethnic Dinka . However, by

98-833: A National Convention in Akobo and announced that it was renaming itself the South Sudan Independence Movement /Army (SSIM/A) . However, Lam Akol left the convention in protest at a proposal for self-determination for areas outside of the south. He later announced that he was the chairman of the SPLA-United, based in Tonga, that was separate from the newly renamed SSIM/A. (Depending on the source and time period, "SPLA-United" may thus refer to one of two organizations.) By January 1995, Riek had publicly repudiated Lam, Nyuon and Kerubino for their collaboration with

147-583: A National Convention in Akobo and announced that it was renaming itself the South Sudan Independence Movement /Army (SSIM/A) . However, Lam Akol left the convention in protest at a proposal for self-determination for areas outside of the south. He later announced that he was the chairman of the SPLA-United, based in Tonga, that was separate from the newly renamed SSIM/A. (Depending on the source and time period, "SPLA-United" may thus refer to one of two organizations.) By January 1995, Riek had publicly repudiated Lam, Nyuon and Kerubino for their collaboration with

196-690: A major attack on Juba in response that proved unsuccessful. The government and SPLA-Nasir also persuaded William Nyuon Bany to defect to their side in September 1992. The government refrained from a large-scale offensive the following year. This was partly due to concerns that the American Operation Provide Relief and subsequent operations in Somalia might lead them to declare a no-fly zone over Southern Sudan. Regardless, there were significant land engagements through

245-488: A major attack on Juba in response that proved unsuccessful. The government and SPLA-Nasir also persuaded William Nyuon Bany to defect to their side in September 1992. The government refrained from a large-scale offensive the following year. This was partly due to concerns that the American Operation Provide Relief and subsequent operations in Somalia might lead them to declare a no-fly zone over Southern Sudan. Regardless, there were significant land engagements through

294-549: A picture in which the leaders thought they could use government support tactically to quickly overthrow Garang, while maintaining an anti-government strategy. When the initial coup failed, the Nasir command required more government support and thus was increasingly directed by Khartoum. In January 1992, the Nasir faction and Khartoum announced an agreement in Frankfurt . The agreement, which contained no mention of independence for

343-440: A picture in which the leaders thought they could use government support tactically to quickly overthrow Garang, while maintaining an anti-government strategy. When the initial coup failed, the Nasir command required more government support and thus was increasingly directed by Khartoum. In January 1992, the Nasir faction and Khartoum announced an agreement in Frankfurt . The agreement, which contained no mention of independence for

392-537: The Anuak people and Luo Nilotic members. The Shilluk language shares many words with the Anuak language (the dha anywaa) . Most Shilluk are sedentary agriculturists. Like most Nilotic groups, cattle-raising is a large part of their economy; however, agriculture and fishing are more significant activities than usual. Both sexes engage in agricultural work. The Shilluk, along with the Dinka , have been considered some of

441-575: The Bor massacre in 1991. This split resulted in the 1994 National Convention of New Sudan in Chukudum . The splinter group gets its name from the Nasir Declaration , the document written by the group prior their secession. The Second Sudanese Civil War had begun in 1983 as a response to the status of the underdeveloped South Sudan in relation to the administrative and economic center of Khartoum . The southern rebel groups quickly became dominated by

490-748: The Equatoria fronts. The initiative for removing Garang came from Lam Akol , a senior SPLA commander in Upper Nile . Other commanders with whom he initially spoke suggested that he bring in Riek Machar , a well-liked senior commander whose base in Nasir gave him easy access across the Ethiopian border to Gambela and the SPLA rear bases where Lam and Riek could gain political support. By early 1991,

539-415: The Equatoria fronts. The initiative for removing Garang came from Lam Akol , a senior SPLA commander in Upper Nile . Other commanders with whom he initially spoke suggested that he bring in Riek Machar , a well-liked senior commander whose base in Nasir gave him easy access across the Ethiopian border to Gambela and the SPLA rear bases where Lam and Riek could gain political support. By early 1991,

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588-583: The Jonglei Canal to Ayod . A series of offensives and counteroffensives resulted. Nasir forces briefly occupied Twic East county , deep in Dinka territory, in November and December, resulting in clear attacks aimed at killing and displacing civilians. The human rights violations resulted in a loss of support for SPLA-Nasir both domestically and abroad. It also became increasingly clear that SPLA-Nasir

637-413: The Jonglei Canal to Ayod . A series of offensives and counteroffensives resulted. Nasir forces briefly occupied Twic East county , deep in Dinka territory, in November and December, resulting in clear attacks aimed at killing and displacing civilians. The human rights violations resulted in a loss of support for SPLA-Nasir both domestically and abroad. It also became increasingly clear that SPLA-Nasir

686-671: The Nuer in Gambela and Upper Nile were strongly behind the idea of a change in leadership. In contrast, most non-Nuer felt that, while administrative reform was needed, Garang did not need to be replaced. By late 1990, the Mengistu regime was clearly crumbling in the face of the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front rebellion. Refusing to abandon his ties to Mengistu, Garang intensified military efforts to take Juba ,

735-443: The Nuer in Gambela and Upper Nile were strongly behind the idea of a change in leadership. In contrast, most non-Nuer felt that, while administrative reform was needed, Garang did not need to be replaced. By late 1990, the Mengistu regime was clearly crumbling in the face of the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front rebellion. Refusing to abandon his ties to Mengistu, Garang intensified military efforts to take Juba ,

784-614: The Sudan People's Liberation Army under John Garang , an ethnic Dinka . However, by the end of the 1980s there was increasing discontent with the lack of any mechanisms to highlight issues within the Movement and seek redress. Widely voiced concerns around this time included that Garang had tied the SPLA too closely with the government of President Mengistu Haile Mariam of Ethiopia in exchange for Ethiopian support and that too many soldiers from Upper Nile and Bahr al-Ghazal had been transferred to be under Garang's direct command along

833-633: The 1992–1993 dry season. Also, at the beginning of 1993, Nyuon moved south and established lines of communication with the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), a rebel group active in northern Uganda . The government would eventually agree to supply the LRA in return for the LRA attacking the SPLA-United lines of supply across the Ugandan border. In 1993, the organization announced that it was changing its name to "SPLA-United" . Khartoum resumed full scale operations for

882-477: The 1992–1993 dry season. Also, at the beginning of 1993, Nyuon moved south and established lines of communication with the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), a rebel group active in northern Uganda . The government would eventually agree to supply the LRA in return for the LRA attacking the SPLA-United lines of supply across the Ugandan border. In 1993, the organization announced that it was changing its name to "SPLA-United" . Khartoum resumed full scale operations for

931-402: The 1994 dry season, but SPLA-Torit had begun to regain the initiative as their diplomatic climate improved and increasing signs of economic and social strain in the north from the war. The collaboration of SPLA-United with the government increasingly harmed its support among the populace as well as caused troops to leave in disillusionment. From 26 September to 16 October 1994, SPLA-United held

980-401: The 1994 dry season, but SPLA-Torit had begun to regain the initiative as their diplomatic climate improved and increasing signs of economic and social strain in the north from the war. The collaboration of SPLA-United with the government increasingly harmed its support among the populace as well as caused troops to leave in disillusionment. From 26 September to 16 October 1994, SPLA-United held

1029-677: The Nuer Anyanya-2 units promised by the government. Meanwhile, the Meban under Lam's command defected to SPLA-Torit. There was immediately some skirmishing between SPLA troops who declared for Riek and those who remained loyal to Garang. However, the Shilluk SPLA based around the White Nile were deeply riven, resulting in bloody fighting. In September, Garang ordered one of his commanders, William Nyuon Bany , to advance along

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1078-443: The Nuer Anyanya-2 units promised by the government. Meanwhile, the Meban under Lam's command defected to SPLA-Torit. There was immediately some skirmishing between SPLA troops who declared for Riek and those who remained loyal to Garang. However, the Shilluk SPLA based around the White Nile were deeply riven, resulting in bloody fighting. In September, Garang ordered one of his commanders, William Nyuon Bany , to advance along

1127-738: The Sobat joins the Nile. The Shilluk are the third-largest ethnic group of southern Sudan, after the Dinka and Nuer . Their language is called Dhøg Cøllø , dhøg being the Shilluk word for language and mouth. It belongs to the Luo branch of the Western Nilotic subfamily of the Nilotic languages . The Shilluk people formed today's Shilluk Kingdom in southern Sudan in 1454. Historically, it

1176-419: The announcement at 5pm on 28 August 1991. The Nasir group claimed that Garang was a dictator and that they would install greater democracy in the SPLA and respect human rights more. Riek and Lam were joined in their announcement by Gordon Kong Chuol , a former Anyanya II commander who had advocated secession and had also been allied with the government. The faction led by Garang never changed its name, but

1225-418: The announcement at 5pm on 28 August 1991. The Nasir group claimed that Garang was a dictator and that they would install greater democracy in the SPLA and respect human rights more. Riek and Lam were joined in their announcement by Gordon Kong Chuol , a former Anyanya II commander who had advocated secession and had also been allied with the government. The faction led by Garang never changed its name, but

1274-468: The end of the 1980s there was increasing discontent with the lack of any mechanisms to highlight issues within the Movement and seek redress. Widely voiced concerns around this time included that Garang had tied the SPLA too closely with the government of President Mengistu Haile Mariam of Ethiopia in exchange for Ethiopian support and that too many soldiers from Upper Nile and Bahr al-Ghazal had been transferred to be under Garang's direct command along

1323-721: The genetic material." These refugees were displaced due to the Sudanese civil wars in their country from 1955 to the present. Most Shilluk have converted to Christianity , while some still follow the traditional religion or a mixture of the two; a few have converted to Islam . The Episcopal Church of Sudan dates the event to the late 19th century, when the Church Mission Society first began to send missionaries. Colonial policies and missionary movements have divided Shilluk into Catholic and Protestant denominations. The Catholic Church historically proselytized on

1372-415: The government to agree to support the Nasir group against Garang. However, support for an attempt to remove Garang fell among other SPLA commanders, who felt that a coup attempt would further weaken the movement. The Nasir group first announced that they were overthrowing Garang, via the SPLA radio network, on 28 August 1991; this has subsequently been known as the Nasir Declaration . BBC radio broadcast

1421-414: The government to agree to support the Nasir group against Garang. However, support for an attempt to remove Garang fell among other SPLA commanders, who felt that a coup attempt would further weaken the movement. The Nasir group first announced that they were overthrowing Garang, via the SPLA radio network, on 28 August 1991; this has subsequently been known as the Nasir Declaration . BBC radio broadcast

1470-614: The government. As each left, they created yet another rebel group. These were joined by other government-sponsored rebel groups during the latter half of the 1990s. In January 2002, Riek and Garang were reconciled and Riek was brought back within the SPLA. The war ended with a peace agreement in January 2005 and Garang went on to become the first southern Vice President in Sudanese history. His death later that year resulted in Riek becoming

1519-451: The government. As each left, they created yet another rebel group. These were joined by other government-sponsored rebel groups during the latter half of the 1990s. In January 2002, Riek and Garang were reconciled and Riek was brought back within the SPLA. The war ended with a peace agreement in January 2005 and Garang went on to become the first southern Vice President in Sudanese history. His death later that year resulted in Riek becoming

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1568-663: The largest town in the south. The conspirators realized that while the fall of Mengistu would weaken Garang, he would be strengthened immensely if he took Juba. Mengistu's overthrow in May 1991 caused a number of shifts. With the shifting of forces towards the Western Equatoria offensive and the beginning of the rains, commanders in Upper Nile felt dangerously exposed. At the same time, the Nasir faction noted that Western support for Garang had fallen due to his alliance with

1617-487: The largest town in the south. The conspirators realized that while the fall of Mengistu would weaken Garang, he would be strengthened immensely if he took Juba. Mengistu's overthrow in May 1991 caused a number of shifts. With the shifting of forces towards the Western Equatoria offensive and the beginning of the rains, commanders in Upper Nile felt dangerously exposed. At the same time, the Nasir faction noted that Western support for Garang had fallen due to his alliance with

1666-711: The late 1980s and the pre-ceasefire fighting in 2004. During the summer of 2010, the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA), in an attempt to disarm the tribe and stop a local Shilluk rebellion, burned several villages and killed an untold number of civilians in South Sudan's Shilluk Kingdom. Over 10,000 people were displaced during the rainy season and sent fleeing into the forest, often naked, without bedding, shelter, or food. Many children died from hunger and cold. Violence started again in April 2011 with an SPLA crackdown on rebel-controlled regions. The Shilluk and Nuba were

1715-521: The socialist Mengistu; the United States was the only country to respond favorably to the Nasir commanders' call for a separate South, which they interpreted as a sign of support. As thousands of refugees were returned from Ethiopia, the Nasir faction established contact with government forces beginning in July 1991 to arrange for relief supplies through government lines. By May, negotiations had led

1764-408: The socialist Mengistu; the United States was the only country to respond favorably to the Nasir commanders' call for a separate South, which they interpreted as a sign of support. As thousands of refugees were returned from Ethiopia, the Nasir faction established contact with government forces beginning in July 1991 to arrange for relief supplies through government lines. By May, negotiations had led

1813-411: The south, caused two Dinka members of the negotiating delegation to quit in disgust. The split in the southern rebel movement and SPLA-Nasir support allowed the government to regain the initiative and seize territory it had previously lost. In the 1992 government offensive, troops moved freely through SPLA-Nasir territory and regained parts of Jonglei and East Equatoria by July. SPLA-Torit launched

1862-410: The south, caused two Dinka members of the negotiating delegation to quit in disgust. The split in the southern rebel movement and SPLA-Nasir support allowed the government to regain the initiative and seize territory it had previously lost. In the 1992 government offensive, troops moved freely through SPLA-Nasir territory and regained parts of Jonglei and East Equatoria by July. SPLA-Torit launched

1911-756: The tallest people in the world. In an investigation between 1953 and 1954, D. F. Robers reported that Dinka Ruweng males were, on average, 181.3 cm (5 ft 11 1⁄2 in) tall, while Shilluk males averaged 182.6 cm (6 ft 0 in). General characteristics among the Nilotic people include long legs, narrow bodies, and short trunks, adaptations to South Sudan's hot climate. However, in 1995, male Shilluk refugees in southwestern Ethiopia were, on average, 172.6 cm (5 ft 8 in) tall. The study suggests that Nilotic people "may attain greater height if privileged with favorable environmental conditions during early childhood and adolescence, allowing full expression of

1960-688: The vice-president of autonomous Southern Sudan . Nasir Declaration The SPLA-Nasir was a splinter faction of the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA), a rebel group that fought in the Second Sudanese Civil War . Originally created as an attempt by the Nuer tribe to replace SPLA leader John Garang in August 1991, it gradually became coopted by the government. The break away of Riek Machar from SPLM/A resulted in Nuer ethnic group massacring Garang's ethnic Dinka from Bor in

2009-577: The vice-president of autonomous Southern Sudan . Shilluk people The Shilluk ( Shilluk : Chollo ) are a major Luo Nilotic ethnic group that resides in the northeastern Upper Nile state of South Sudan on both banks of the Nile River in Malakal . Before the Second Sudanese Civil War , the Shilluk also lived in settlements on the northern bank of the Sobat River , close to where

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2058-554: The western bank of the Nile. It ran mission stations at Lul, Detwoc , Tonga , and Yoynyang . In contrast, the American Inland Mission ran a mission station at Doleib Hill , located south of Malakal on the eastern side of the Nile but situated on the Sobat River . The Shilluk were a minority in the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) for most of the Second Sudanese Civil War , their number peaking in

2107-403: Was a patriarchal monarchy led by a reth from the divine lineage of the culture hero Nyikang , who is believed to affect the nation's health. Their society was once somewhat hierarchical, with castes of royals, nobles, commoners, and enslaved people. Today, the Shilluk government is a democracy, with an elected headman voted in by a council of hamlet heads. The Shilluk are closely related to

2156-524: Was receiving military support from the Sudanese government, leading many to suspect that they were forming an alliance. The topic of Sudanese support to SPLA-Nasir is highly controversial. Riek's influential wife Emma McCune denied any such connection and Riek's numerous supporters refused to believe the leaked evidence. In September 1991, Lam established contact with government representative Ali al-Hajj Muhammad, who funneled money through SPLA-Nasir's Nairobi office. Similarly, an SPLA-Nasir representative

2205-524: Was receiving military support from the Sudanese government, leading many to suspect that they were forming an alliance. The topic of Sudanese support to SPLA-Nasir is highly controversial. Riek's influential wife Emma McCune denied any such connection and Riek's numerous supporters refused to believe the leaked evidence. In September 1991, Lam established contact with government representative Ali al-Hajj Muhammad, who funneled money through SPLA-Nasir's Nairobi office. Similarly, an SPLA-Nasir representative

2254-603: Was sent to Khartoum to set up a liaison office, where he met Omar al-Bashir , Hassan al-Turabi and army commanders. The stance of SPLA-Torit, who were able to monitor government support activities over radio, was that this proved that the coup was entirely a plot of the government. In an attempt to cause a similar split in the north, Torit forces were put under the command of Daud Bolad and sent to start an insurgency in Darfur , western Sudan. Sources within SPLA-Nasir present

2303-492: Was sent to Khartoum to set up a liaison office, where he met Omar al-Bashir , Hassan al-Turabi and army commanders. The stance of SPLA-Torit, who were able to monitor government support activities over radio, was that this proved that the coup was entirely a plot of the government. In an attempt to cause a similar split in the north, Torit forces were put under the command of Daud Bolad and sent to start an insurgency in Darfur , western Sudan. Sources within SPLA-Nasir present

2352-401: Was similarly called "SPLA-Torit" or "SPLA-Mainstream" in order to distinguish between the factions. SPLA-Nasir hoped that their announcement would result in a popular uprising against Garang in Equatoria and Bahr al-Ghazal . However, there had been little preparation for the announcement in these areas. Only the SPLA units already under the Upper Nile command rallied to the call, along with

2401-401: Was similarly called "SPLA-Torit" or "SPLA-Mainstream" in order to distinguish between the factions. SPLA-Nasir hoped that their announcement would result in a popular uprising against Garang in Equatoria and Bahr al-Ghazal . However, there had been little preparation for the announcement in these areas. Only the SPLA units already under the Upper Nile command rallied to the call, along with

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