Equatorians in South Sudan have started to openly discuss whether being part of South Sudan is in their best interest, or whether they should pursue their own independent state.
The recent fighting between pro-government and anti-government forces has taken an ethnic direction with many Dinkas (South Sudan’s largest tribe) supporting the government, whilst many Nuers (South Sudan’s second largest tribe) support anti-government forces.
Equatorians have largely avoided taking sides in the blossoming ethnic conflict and are now pondering whether they want anything to do with South Sudan’s statehood at all.
An elder of the Kuku Community in Kajo-Keji County of Central Equatoria State has expressed his desire to see the equatorial dilemma solved by splitting South Sudan into three nations in order to realize relative peace. Abusa Loyangi alleged that other ethnic groups were naturally hostile, with a desire for violence. He believes it is better for Equatorians to live independently, suggesting that Equatoria, Bahr el Ghazal and the Upper Nile region be independent countries.
Loyangi is not the first minority tribal leader to express such an opinion. Militia leader David Yau Yau, of the Murle tribe in Jonglei State, has also consistently affirmed his goal to have an independent state for Murle, Anyuak and Kachipo peoples.
Murle, Anyuak and Kachipo are all minority tribes dominated by Dinka and Nuer communities in Jonglei state.