The Balaalo Invasion: A Silent Land Takeover
By Opwonya Nokrach (2024)
The invasion has begun. They first entered Nwoya, near the Pinyluo border. Now, they are attacking the heart of Aswa, and advancing into Ngomoromo, Apaa, and Lakang.
This is not just a passing incident. If left unchecked, Balaalo settlements will completely replace the indigenous people. The Pinyluo region will be no more. Gulu will turn into Guru, and Kitgum will become Kitugumu.
Perhaps you think this is an exaggeration. But history tells a different story. The Anyuak in Akobo and other areas of Pinyluo Anywaa have already been displaced. The same fate has befallen the Collo people on the eastern bank of the Nile in Malakal.
Ignoring the Crisis: A Dangerous Mistake
During a heated land debate, Norbert Mao once dismissed concerns by saying,
“Ngom pe gudolo chalo mukeka”, meaning land cannot be folded like a mat and taken away.
He was wrong. This crisis is not about dolo ngom (folding land); it is about dolo dano (folding people). And people are highly foldable.
The people of Apaa have already been displaced. If we don’t act swiftly and decisively, more communities will suffer the same fate.
The Time to Act is Now
This is not just a local issue—it’s a matter of cultural survival, land rights, and justice. If we remain silent, our history, identity, and homes will disappear. The time for action is now.
