09/10/2025
OPINION] Regardless of Leadership Vacuum (Political & Social), Aweilians Have God: The Case of the Son Who Betrayed the Community in 2021 in Favor of In-Laws from Bor and Later Died a Miserable Death; and the Recent Cancellation of the Committee Seeking Justice
By Tito Awen Bol,
The Voice of the Voiceless -Northern Bahr el Ghazal
In South Sudan’s turbulent and polarized socio-political landscape, where loyalty is often traded for temporary gain, the resilience of the Aweil community of Northern Bahr el Ghazal stands as a testimony of divine justice. Despite systemic neglect and the prevailing leadership vacuum, both politically and socially; Aweilians have continued to survive, not by the might of men or direction of the leaders, but by the providence of God, the Omni-present and Omni-power.
The 2021 Betrayal: A Tragic Error of Allegiance
In 2021, a case that shocked and pained the Aweil community to date unfolded in Bor, Jonglei State. A group of Aweil youth were humiliated, stripped naked and mercilessly caned by the police under unclear but politically motivated circumstances. The images and testimonies sparked outrage across the region and state, with the matter escalating all the way to Presidency.
Hope rose when the President was reported to be ready to intervene and order justice for the youth. But that hope was tragically tainted and dashed off through the betrayal by own son. In a stunning twist, a son of Aweil (Mr. X in this regard) appeared in an interview with a journalist from Bor (Ajak) in what many have described as a scripted betrayal, Mr. X publicly denied the atrocity. He labeled the assaulted youth as mere criminals and dismissed their ordeals. His statement, which was perceived as an attempt to appease his in-laws in Bor (he married from Makuac Payam), effectively killed any high-level intervention from the Presidency because the voice of betrayal was taken to high authorities. It also killed the interest of the outsiders (witnesses) who joined the concerned youth in finding justice for the victims. The truth was deeply buried, and the pain of the community deepened.
The fall of Conniver: Death without Dignity
Later that same year, fate dealt Mr. X a blow to extend no one anticipated. He died under mysterious and shameful circumstances at the hands of the same in-laws he had defended. His body, rejected with cold indifference, was buried without dignity in cemetery which is against the norms. As irony would have it, the very same community he had betrayed was asked to contribute water and soda for the mourners. In a demonstration of maturity and spiritual strength, the community members complied without protest. They provided solidarity to the late, Mr.X.
Yet, when some of the men from the community who provided these items requested to see Mr. X’s children and the wife, perhaps to console them or offer words of encouragement; sadly, they were denied. To this day, the whereabouts of his children remain unknown, children lost in the same fog of political betrayal that led to their father’s disgrace.
Echoes of Injustice: The October 2025 Torture and Looting of Traders
Fast forward to October 12, 2025, the same pattern of systemic betrayal and political manipulation has returned. This time, in the form of organized violence against traders from Bahr el Ghazal (mostly from Aweil), just like it happened in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2024.
More than 62 traders from Northern Bahr el Ghazal were attacked by what eyewitnesses and local analysts describe as act by politically motivated gangs called Red Belt. The scale of the attack was shocking: over 37,000,000 South Sudanese Pounds and $7,000 USD worth of goods and cash looted, and 11 traders severely injured. In response, the youth of the community quickly formed a justice-seeking committee to demand compensation and proper medical support.
The youth formed a committee on two objectives: asking the state government of Jonglei to compensate for negligence in its responsibility of providing security and bringing the perpetrators to book. But before achieving the plan, the State Government of Northern Bahr el Ghazal (Aweil) stepped in-not to support justice or protect its people, but to cancel the committee.
The message was vividly clear: the state, much like in 2021, had no interest in defending its own sons and daughters. Once again, political alliances and fear of offending "higher powers" took precedence over truth and justice for the innocent victims who refused to go to the bush like in other communities, but just hustle to win bread for their families. Sad!
Lessons and Resolve: A People Sustained by Faith
These events raise painful but necessary questions. How many more sons of Aweil must die in disgrace for choosing political appeasement over truth? How many traders must lose their livelihoods before real justice prevails? And how long will the youth be silenced when they rise up for peaceful accountability? If legal procedures be silence, is that not a call for violence?
And yet, in the face of betrayal, silence, and manipulation, the people of Northern Bahr el Ghazal continue to stand. Not because their leaders stand with them. Not because the system protects them. But because they love the country and are sustained by God…and because they don’t want to use their majority against any minority.
The story of Mr. X is a cautionary tale. It reminds us that aligning with oppressors, especially at the expense of one's own people, has consequences, both in life and in legacy. It also reminds us that the truth cannot be buried forever. Just as Mr. X’s betrayal came full circle within the same year, so too will every act of injustice eventually face divine judgment…Aweil’s deities are alive.
The looting of September 2025, like the stripping of 2021, will not be forgotten. The youth may be silenced today, but their determination will outlive every cancelled committee and every political betrayal. The youths are alert to every political move.
God is not asleep, neither is the spirit of Aweil…continue to betray!
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not represent the official stance or position of Aweil Review . Any claims, assumptions, or interpretations made are the author's own and should not be attributed to the organization.
