OP-ED: Equatoria Region, The Land Worth Recognition For Guarding South Sudan’s Liberation

By Majok Athian Majok

The story of South Sudan’s liberation is often told through the bravery of men and women who fought under the banner of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA). Yet, one crucial protagonist in that struggle is often overlooked: the land itself. When the SPLA rose in 1983 against the Khartoum government’s marginalization and oppression, it faced an enemy of immense military might. The Sudanese regime possessed advanced weaponry, gunships, and relentless air power that turned the skies over Southern Sudan into a perpetual zone of death and destruction.

And yet, the rebellion endured. Against all odds, it survived and eventually triumphed, thanks in no small part to an unspoken ally: Equatoria, the vast and varied land that became both shield and sanctuary for the liberation movement.

The Strategic Heart of the Struggle

Comprising what are today Western, Central, and Eastern Equatoria States, this region was more than a battleground; it was the geographical backbone of the SPLA’s resistance. Its thick forests, rugged hills, and dense bushlands provided natural protection against Khartoum’s superior military technology.

From the towering Imatong and Dongotona ranges to the deep equatorial jungles, the terrain offered perfect concealment. Aerial bombardments and reconnaissance missions became futile, as SPLA fighters could disperse swiftly, vanish into the wilderness, and re-emerge to fight another day. In a war where survival was often synonymous with victory, the land itself became a fortress that neutralized the enemy’s machines with nature’s own defiance.

Equatoria’s Strategic Lifelines

Geography also endowed Equatoria with a unique advantage. Its borders with Uganda, Kenya, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) served as crucial lifelines for the liberation struggle. These corridors were arteries of survival, allowing the SPLA to maintain communication with the outside world, transport vital supplies, and establish training grounds beyond Khartoum’s reach.

When the movement was under intense military pressure, these routes provided escape and reorganization points. Through them, the SPLA preserved its structure and spirit, even when defeat seemed imminent.

The Land That Sustained a Revolution

Equatoria was not merely a hiding ground; it was a provider. Its diverse ecology sustained thousands of fighters and displaced civilians throughout the war. Fertile soils near the Nile produced essential crops like cassava, while rivers and forests offered water, wild fruits, and game. In the midst of devastation, the land itself nourished those who dared to dream of freedom.

This self-sufficiency proved vital in a long guerrilla war where external supply chains were fragile or non-existent. The fighters’ ability to live off the land was both a tactical and symbolic triumph, a reminder that the very soil of South Sudan was on their side.

Equatoria’s Legacy and the Call for Peace

When South Sudan finally achieved independence in 2011, it was a victory born not only of courage but also of geography. Equatoria’s natural defenses ensured that the dream of liberation never died, even in the darkest days of the war. Its contribution remains a deeply rooted truth in our national story, one that deserves greater recognition and reflection.

As Equatorian students convene a peace conference on November 8, 2025, bringing together South Sudanese students in Uganda, it is both timely and symbolic. The land that once sheltered a revolution now seeks to nurture peace. By revisiting this history, today’s generation can connect the struggle for independence with the ongoing quest for internal reconciliation.

The same soil that once absorbed the footprints of freedom fighters now calls upon us to plant the seeds of unity and healing. In honoring Equatoria’s past, we lay the moral and historical foundation for the lasting peace our nation so desperately needs.

The writer, Majok Athian Majok, is the Chairperson of the Makerere University South Sudanese Students’ Association (MUSSSA). He can be reached at athianmajok2121@gmail.com.