Collo King blames Juba politicians for Upper Nile crisis

The King of the Collo Kingdom, Reth Kwongo Dak Padiet, stated that the stability of the Upper Nile region is compromised by politicians operating from Juba rather than by the local population in Malakal.

The monarch made the statements on Monday, May 26, during a meeting with Upper Nile Governor James Koang Chol to address state reconciliation and administrative security strategies.

According to Reth Kwongo, no dispute exists between the Dinka and Collo communities. He noted that the two groups share a history of cohabitation and social integration, including intermarriage.

The King stated that traditional boundary lines between communities are established and documented, removing any structural basis for territorial division. He pledged institutional support to the state government to resolve regional polarization.

“The problems in Upper Nile are caused by politicians who are always based in Juba, not in Malakal. There are no problems between the Dinka and the Collo. There is intermarriage between the two groups,” Reth Kwongo stated.

He added that the existing borders between communities are clear, stating that there is no justification for initiating disputes.

Governor James Koang characterized the bilateral talks as a forum focused on structural solutions to regional governance issues. Koang cited the King’s operational experience in managing historic disputes as an asset to the state’s stabilization plan.

The governor reported that the monarch issued a directive to the youth population, instructing them to reject the transfer of intergenerational disputes and prioritize regional stabilization.

“In our meeting today, we discussed the situation in Upper Nile, and our discussion led to ideas for peace,” Governor Koang stated.

The governor confirmed that the King’s appeal to the youth focused on distinguishing current civic responsibilities from historical conflicts managed by previous generations.