Warrap (state)

Warrap is one of the ten states in South Sudan, located in the Bahr el Ghazal region. The state became part of South Sudan after a successful secession from Sudan on 9 July 2011. Wanhalel, the place where first Jieng Customary Laws were initiated and hometown to prominent politician, Gen. Nhial Deng Nhial is located in Tonj South County of Warrap State^[4] The current governor is Kuol Muor Muor who replaced Manhiem Bol Malek in November, 2023.^[1]

Warrap Warab
State
Flag Seal
Location in South Sudan.
Coordinates: 08°10′N 28°04′E
Country	South Sudan
Region	Bahr el Ghazal
Capital	Kuajok
Government
• Governor	Kuol Muor Muor[1]
Area
• Total	45,567.24 km2 (17,593.61 sq mi)
Population  (2017 estimate[2])
• Total	1,379,960
• Density	30/km2 (78/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+2 (CAT)
HDI (2021)	0.311[3] low · 9th of 10
Website	www.warrap.gov.ss

History

In 2015, a presidential decree established a new system of 28 states, replacing the previously established 10. Warrap State was replaced by the states of Twic, Gogrial and Tonj.^[5] Warrap State was re-established by a peace agreement signed on 22 February 2020.^[6]

List of Governors

• Aleu Ayieny Aleu (January 2021 — November 2022)^[7]
• Manhiem Bol Malek (November 2022 — November 2023)^[8]
• Kuol Muor Muor (November 2023 — present)^[1][9]

Overview

Counties in Warrap

Warrap State comprises an area of 31,027 km². Kuajok is the capital of Warrap state. All states in South Sudan are divided into counties, each headed by a County Commissioner appointed by the President of the Republic of South Sudan

County	Area (km2)	Population Census 2008	County Commissioner
Gogrial East	3,890.55	103,283	Maluach Malueth
Gogrial West	4,754.37	243,921	Makuc Aruol Luach
Tonj South	7,449.73	86,592	Nhial Deng Nhial (Acting)
Tonj North	11,012.05	165,222	Kuol Akoon Kuol
Tonj East	3,990.61	116,122	John Deng Kok
Twic	3,922.65	204,905	Deng Tong Goch

Location

Warrap State is located in the Bahr el Ghazal region. To its north lies the disputed region of Abyei, to its east lies Unity State. To the west is Western Bahr el Ghazal and Northern Bahr el Ghazal, and to its south lies the Lakes State.^[10]

Government

The state constitution was adopted in 2008. Lewis Anei Madut-Kuendit was the first governor of the state and Akech Tong Aleu was the last governor of Warrap state. Madot Dut Deng was the last Speaker of the State Assembly.^[11]

Religion

Main article: Religion in South Sudan

The main religions in Warrap State are the African Traditional Religion Christianity (Catholicism, Protestantism). A sizable proportion of the population practices African traditional religions.^[12]

Noticeable figures

• Peter Mayen, Politician
• Slate Nation, musician^[13]
• Manute Bol (1962–2010), tallest NBA player of all time^[14]
• Salva Kiir Mayardit (born 1951) president of South Sudan since 2011^[15]
• Alek Wek (born 1977), model^[16]
• John Frog, musician^[17]

References

1. "President Kiir relieves three ministers, Warrap Governor". Eye Radio. 2023-11-28. Retrieved 2023-12-16.
2. "South Sudan: States and counties". www.citypopulation.de. Retrieved 2024-02-14.
3. "Sub-national HDI - Area Database - Global Data Lab". hdi.globaldatalab.org. Retrieved 2020-04-18.
4. "From Unwritten to Written: Transformation of Jieeng Customary Law into Qanun Wanh-alel" (PDF). Australasian Review of African Studies. 43 (1). 2022. doi:10.22160/22035184/ARAS-2022-43-1/41-55.
5. "New decree creates ethnic enclaves for Nuer". Radio Tamazuj. 2 October 2015. Archived from the original on 22 February 2017. Retrieved 21 February 2017.
6. "After 6 years of war, will peace finally come to South Sudan?".
7. "Gen. Aleu Ayieny's sacking draws mixed reactions in Warrap State". Radio Tamazuj. Retrieved 2024-03-23.
8. "Newly appointed Warrap governor urged to prioritize peace". The Radio Community. 2022-11-17. Retrieved 2024-03-23.
9. Chang, Koang (2023-12-25). "Warrap and WBG governors agree to settle 'Manyang' dispute peacefully". Eye Radio. Retrieved 2024-03-23.
10. Map of South Sudan
11. Deng, Madot. "Speaker of the State Assembly".
12. "Warrap state calls on religious leaders to be models of peace". Sudan Tribune. 31 October 2010. Retrieved 2024-03-23.
13. "Slate Nation". hotinjuba.com. 2018-12-13.
14. "Basketball star Bol buried in south Sudan". July 5, 2010. Archived from the original on June 1, 2012. Retrieved October 3, 2019 – via af.reuters.com.
15. President Salva Kiir Comes From Warrap State
16. Campbell, Roy H. "Refugee from Sudan takes runways by storm Fashion: 19-year-old Alek Wek's regal carriage and exotic face may begin to change the Western concept of beauty". baltimoresun.com. Retrieved October 3, 2019.
17. "BBC World Service - This Is Africa, John Frog". www.bbc.co.uk. 2024-06-16.