South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Awan Achiek
The Aliab community of Lakes State gathered in Mingkaman on Thursday to celebrate the 106th anniversary of their victory against British soldiers.
The Aliab uprising began on 30 October 1919 when police arrested several Aliab men.
In response, over 3,000 warriors stormed the police station in Mingkaman, freeing their kinsmen and triggering violent clashes with British police officers.
Lieutenant Colonel Richard Finch White led several companies of the Egyptian Army Equatorial Battalion to restore order.
Ultimately, the uprising was suppressed in 1920 through a punitive expedition led by Colonel Robert Henry Darwall, resulting in the deaths of 500 individuals and the capture of approximately 20,000 cattle.
The uprising was a reaction to the mistreatment of women by the assistant district commissioner, who imposed forced labour on individuals without compensation.
He collected large bulls instead of smaller ones as taxes, detained Aliab residents without judicial resolution, and executed individuals without due legal process.
During the event on Thursday, Gen. Rin Tueny Mabor, Governor of Lakes State, emphasised the importance of honouring Chief Kon Anok, who led the fight against British oppression.
“Akon Anok is from the Akeei section of Aliab and is part of the Aliab community. Today marks 104 years since the Aliab resistance,” Tueny said.
He explained that the British invasion of Aliab Land was marked by violence and looting, including cattle raids and killings.
“Kon and the people of Aliab successfully resisted the British and reclaimed their land after a period of fighting. Today, we gather in Mingkaman to commemorate the anniversary of the Aliab resistance that took place here,” he said.
“We share this history orally so that young people can learn from it, ensuring that those unfamiliar with Kon Anok are aware of his role in the resistance against the British.”
Elijah Manyok, Chairman of the Bor Community Youth Association (BCYA), expressed solidarity with the Aliab community, who lost their grandfathers to the British.
“I stand with you in solidarity, just as Garang Dhieu stood with Kon Anok. I am here to discuss how the actions of Kon Anok and the Aliab people led to his arrest and death. He was killed due to his resistance,” Manyok said.
“We, Bor and Aliab, are united; we were once one people under the Mongalla provinces and remain together today, separated only by administrative boundaries.”
Eng. Nhial Deng Nhial, chairperson of the organising committee, remarked, “Today marks the anniversary of Aliab’s resistance against British operations on 30 October 1919, led by Kon Anok and other chiefs of Aliab. This is the day Aliab stood up against British oppression on their land.”
The event commemorating the 106th anniversary of the Aliab resistance was organised by the youth of Aliab.
