South Sudan’s Jonglei population breakdown

By Philip Thon Aleu

July 10, 2009 (BOR TOWN) – 1,358,602 people live in Jonglei State according to the fifth Sudan Population and Housing Census conducted in 2008, they represent about 16.44% of Southern Sudan population.

734,327 are males of all ages groups compared to 624,275 females. Bor County is leading with 221,106 people while Duk County trails with 65,588 people.

The State Director of Census and Statistics Commission, Thiong Akuei, released the results week. The distribution into 11 Counties of the State is as follows in a descending order:

Bor South [or simply Bor] County – 221,106, Uror County – 178,519, Pibor – 148,475, Ayod – 139,282, Akobo – 136, 210, Old Fangak – 110,130, Nyirol – 108,674, Khorfulus (now Canal) – 99,068, Twic East – 85,349, Pachala – 66,201 and Duk County – 65,588.

Government of Southern Sudan on July 4 rejected the 2008 population census results, saying it should not be used as the basis for allocating wealth and power sharing in the semi-autonomous region.

Thiong Akuei, the State director of census says people living in Jonglei are exactly as counted. He dismissed allegation that the results were manipulated to raise the population of South Sudan largest State.

Mr. Akuei spoke publicly for the first time in a church on Sunday July 5 in Bor town.

The figures of the census exercise conducted latest 26 years ago and after others are believed had been partial in the South.

In 1983, 5,329,267 people were counted in Southern Sudan – representing 26% of Sudan. According to 1983 census, Greater Equatoria represents 26%, Bahr-el Ghazal 43% and Greater Upper Nile 31% of 5,329,267. According to 2008 census, Greater Equatoria represents 32%, Bahr-el Ghazal 33% and Greater Upper Nile 35% of 8,260,490 people counted.

Southerners percentage representation has being dynamic since 1956 taking 27% of the Country then. In 1973, southerners made 20% of the nation and 26% in 1983. Southerners were 17% in 1993 during the civil war ended 2005 by a peace deal. 2008 census results show that 22% are southern Sudanese.

The census shows that there are more males (734,327) than females (624,275) living in Jonglei State – as in Sudan where males (20,073,977) outnumbered females (19,080,513). In Southern Sudan, 51.9% are males (4,287,300) and 48.1% are females (3,973,190).

72% Southern Sudanese are aged below 30 years. 14.9% are aged 5 years or less. Only 0.1% of people are aged 95 years and above in Southern Sudan.

Southern Sudan population has increased by 55% since 1983 despite two decades civil war were about 2 million people died. Northern Sudan population had increased y 101% in the last 26 years, according to 2008 census described by some officials in Southern Sudan Government as politically tampered counted.

In Jonglei State, 665,521 people are 16 years below while 693,081 are 17 years or above. In all age’s group, males beat females by substantial different in all Counties.

In Pibor County, the difference between males (76,018) and females (72,457) of all age’s group is narrowed to 3,561 but widen in Uror County to 20,033 between males (99,276) and females (79,243).

104,356 persons aged 16 or fewer years live in Bor County and only 32,433 people are in Duk County. Ages distribution in all Counties is relative to the overpopulation there, the result indicates.

The disputed census results also show that only eight (8) Counties in Southern Sudan make a count-up to 200,000 people and above.

Juba County (Central Equatoria), the seat of GoSS, leads with 372,413. Aweil East (Northern Bahr El Ghazal) follows with 309,921, Gogrial West (Warrap) – 243,905, Bor (Jonglei) – 221,106, Nassir/Luakpiny (Upper Nile) – 210,002, Twic (Warrap) – 204,905 and Yei (Central Equatoria) with 201,443 people.

Counties hosting states headquarters are most populated compared to rare counterparts, the results clarified.

Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly (SSLA) rejects the census results on ground that there is no officially approved Southern Sudan Census data-set and lack of base map or sample frame.

SSLA also argues that the two CPA (comprehensive Peace Agreement) partners – the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) and NCP (National Congress Party) negotiate an acceptable ratio for calculating political representation or the accord milestone is not honored.

(ST)