Because of its proximity to Kordofan and the presence of a railway line through it to Wau it suffered extensively in the recently ended civil war in southern Sudan. North Bahr al Ghazal and adjacent parts of Western Kordofan to the north are among the most politically sensitive regions in Sudan. MissriyaArabs from Kordofan have interacted with Dinka in this region over a long time. While relations during the colonial era were largely peaceful, the recent war saw an upsurge in hostilities. Government backing to the Missriya gave them a decided advantage over local Dinka groups, and raiding by murahileen militias (and other government backed groups, including some Dinka militias) resulted in considerable loss of life, widespread abduction and pillaging of Dinka villages. Many of these raids coincided with the movement of government trains to and from Kordofan to Wau.
Paul Malong Awan is the governor of the state. He swore in new state cabinet on July 22nd, 2008. It's members are:
Deputy Governor & minister of information & communication - Arkenjelo Athian Teng Angok
State Minister of Finance - Ajou Garang Deng (Ajou Makot)
State Minister of Health - Ms. Akon Bol Akok
State Mister of Parliamentary Affairs - Garang Diing Akuong
State Minister of Education, Science and Technology - Stephen Chol Unguec
State minister of Local Government and Law Enforcement Agents - Bak Lual Bol (Bak Abu-ajac)
State minister of physical infrastructure - Giir Riiny Lual
State minister of Agriculture - Angui Akot
Secretary General of State Council of Ministers - Yel Deng Nguel
State Advisors are:
Pio Tem Kuac Ngor - Political Advisor
Tong Atak Mel - Economics Affairs Advisor
Akok Bol Mador - Local Government
Riak Wol Atuer - Security Advisor
Administrative Divisions
Northern Bahr al Ghazal, like other states in Southern Sudan is divided into counties headed by a County Commissioner. They are:
Aweil West County - Santo Ayuel Akuei
Aweil North County - Angui Diing Diing
Aweil East County - Diing Aher
Aweil South West County - Deng Dhieu Nyiwel
Aweil South County - TBA
Books
Francis M. Deng, 1995, War of Visions, Conflict of Identities in the Sudan, (Washington D.C.: Brookings)
Human Rights Watch, 1999, Famine in Sudan, 1998, The Human Rights Causes, (New York, Human Rights Watch).
David Keen, 1994, The Benefits of Famine, A Political Economy of Famine and Relief in Southwestern Sudan, 1983 - 1989, (New Jersey, Princeton University Press).
