Maiwut County, Upper Nile State
Demographics
2008 NBS Census population: 79,462
2021 NBS PES population estimate*: 35,840
2022 UN OCHA population estimate*: 132,387
2024 UN OCHA population estimate*: 35,839
2024 IPC population estimate: 136,359
2025 UN OCHA population estimate*: 147,823
Ethnic groups: Eastern Jikany Nuer (Gaat Jaak/Gajaak: Cie-Chaany, Cie-Wau, and Cie-Thieng) and Koma
Displacement Figures as of September 2024: 400 IDPs (-2,648 Sept. 2023) and 87,326 returnees (+30,962 Sept. 2023)
IPC Food Security: November 2024 – Crisis (Phase 3); IPC Projections: December 2024 to March 2025 – Crisis (Phase 3); April to July 2025 – Emergency (Phase 4)
Economy & Livelihoods
Maiwut County is located in Upper Nile State. It borders Luakpiny/Nasir County to the west and Longochuk County to the north. It also shares a long eastern and southern border with Ethiopia.
The county is part of the Northeastern maize, cattle and fishing livelihood zone (FEWSNET 2018). The county runs along the White Nile’s eastern flood plain and is characterized by grasslands, forests and swamps. Maiwut County is an agro-pastoral area with approximately 70% of households involved in farming (FAO/WFP 2019), with most of the remainder engaged in raising livestock, and fishing. More recent figures from the FAO/WFP indicate the figure declined to 65% of households in the county being engaged in farming, with a gross cereal yield of 0.5 tonnes per hectare in 2021 and 2022 (FAO/WFP 2022, FAO/WFP 2023). The main crops grown include maize, sorghum, cowpeas, pumpkins and okra and the main livestock reared are cattle, goats, and chicken. Agriculture is rain-fed with the harvesting period occurring in March.
The Jikou/Jekow/Baro River follows along the international border between Kigila/Kigile Payam and Ethiopia to the east and eventually feeds into the Sobat River to the west. Fishing in the Sobat, its ponds and tributaries is largely seasonal and generally occurs during the rainy season between June and November. Maiwut County also traditionally witnesses seasonal migrations of Fulani (‘Fellata’) pastoralists and cattle into the area from Sudan through Beneshowa Payam of Maban County, in search of water and pasture during the dry season.
Prior to the outbreak of the civil war, the FEWSNET reported Maiwut County to have a low risk of food insecurity because of livelihood diversification. However, the violence that erupted in December 2013 disrupted the farming cycle and livelihoods for most people in the area. Since 2016, the food security situation has worsened. Current IPC projections for Maiwut are at Crisis levels (IPC Phase 3) of food insecurity as of November 2024, which are projected to further deteriorate to Emergency (IPC Phase 4) levels in April 2025, where they will remain until at least July 2025. Food insecurity was predicted to remain at an Emergency (IPC Phase 4) level throughout the first half of 2021, when 25% of households in the county met 25-50% of their caloric needs through humanitarian assistance.
In 2021, Maiwut was identified as a flood-affected county by the Emergency Response Coordination Centre. Low-lying areas in payams across the county were all affected by flooding to some extent.
Infrastructure & Services
The county headquarters is Maiwut town located in Maiwut Payam. In 2019, Aqua Africa noted that half of the water supply for Maiwut town was obtained from rivers and hand-dug wells, which increased the risk for water-borne diseases among the population. Trade is mainly oriented towards markets in Nasir and Malakal, and in particular to Ethiopia’s Gambella Region. This includes a cross-border trade in cattle and grains between Maiwut and Gambella, with cattle also being grazed on both sides of the border between southern Maiwut and northern Gambella. Cattle herds have reportedly increased, in part due to the acquisition of larger numbers of cattle from local elites, which have in turn been associated with increased employment in the cattle trade and cattle security sub-sectors (Carver and Guok 2022, pp.53-54). The increasing trade with Gambella has also increased the significance of taxation collection at border crossing points (Carver and Guok 2022, p.55).
Market supplies and trade in the county have decreased significantly over time, which has led to higher rates of inflation of market goods and contributed to the high levels of food insecurity (FEWSNET 2019). The national conflict has played an important part in fragmenting agricultural production in Maiwut, while also disrupting logistics necessary for the movement of food supplies (Carver and Guok 2022, p.54).
Maiwut County is home to twenty-four (24) Early Childhood Development centres, fifty-nine (59) primary schools, and one (1) secondary school, Maiwut Complex Secondary located in Maiwut Payam.
In December 2024, the WHO reported that Maiwut County had eleven (11) health facilities, of which eleven (11) were functional. These functional facilities included nine (9) primary health care units (PHCUs), two (2) primary health care centres (PHCCs), and no hospitals. This means there were approximately 0.91 PHCUs per 15,000 people and 0.68 PHCCs per 50,000 people in the county at that time.
According to OCHA’s 2025 Humanitarian Needs Overview, there are an estimated 118,566 people in need in Maiwut County, which represents approximately 80% of the county’s total population reported by OCHA for 2025. For comparison, in 2024, OCHA reported that there were an estimated 76,615 people in need in Maiwut County, of whom 11,578 were non-displaced people, with the remainder comprising IDPs and returnees. According to the 2023 Humanitarian Needs Overview, Maiwut County had 109,716 people with humanitarian needs (up from 103,100 in 2021). This represented approximately 78% of the county’s total population according to population estimates listed in the HNO for that year.
Conflict Dynamics
As a relatively remote area nestled along the Ethiopian border, a number of opposition groups have established a presence in Maiwut during the Sudanese and South Sudanese wars. This has made the population of Maiwut particularly exposed to conflict – including to military counter-insurgency operations – while Maiwut has also been a site where intra-opposition dynamics (including defections) have unfolded. Defections in particular have been closely associated with an increase in community polarisation and conflict in the county. Although Maiwut borders Ethiopia’s Oromia and Gambella regions, armed groups have tended to be clustered around the southern border with Gambella Region, in part because of the common ethnic ties between the various communities from the Eastern Jikany Nuer clan who reside in both Upper Nile State and the Gambella Region. These cross-border connections can result in conflict crossing between Upper Nile and Gambella, and has also resulted in alternating waves of displacement.
During the second Sudanese civil war (1983-2005), Maiwut was one a number of areas affected by fighting between the SPLM/A and Anya-Nya 2 forces in the 1980s, which was clustered in villages along the Sobat River (Simonse 1999, p.52). Following the incorporation of much of Anya-Nya 2 into the SPLM/A in 1988, predominantly Nuer SPLM/A forces were able to seize Maiwut’s Jikou/Jekow village in 1989, consolidating SPLM/A control over the area (Johnson 1998, p.59). However, a number of SPLM/A forces from Maiwut joined the SPLM/A-Nasir faction commanded by Riek Machar following the 1991 split in the movement. The Nasir faction would undergo further (often violent) splintering after initial gains in the early 1990s, as Riek Machar’s forces became more closely aligned with Khartoum. These developments would feed into a widening localised conflicts involving parts of the Lou Nuer and Eastern Jikany Nuer clans. These inter-clan conflicts would give way to inter- and intra-sectional conflicts, with internal conflicts among the Eastern Jikany clan (including Maiwut’s Gaat Jaak/Gajaak section) driving displacement to Ethiopia. Sectional fighting caused significant instability along the borders between Jonglei and Upper Nile, with conflict among the Gaat Jaak/Gajaak section spilling over into Gambella (PACT Sudan 2006, p.118).
In 2000, Riek Machar relocated to the Sobat River area of Upper Nile after parting ways with the Sudanese government, and would subsequently rejoin the SPLM/A in 2002. These events led to a period of further instability and factional fighting that affected the wider area, including Maiwut (Johnson 2009, p.44; Covenant News Service 2000; Africa Confidential 2002). The fighting also spilled over to the Gajook and Gaat Jak/Gajaak sections of Ethiopia’s Gambella Region, with the Gajook aligning with pro-government militias in Upper Nile, and the Gaat Jak/Gajaak supporting Machar (Johnson 2010, pp.92-93). In 2004 and 2005, a number of peace and reconciliation initiatives were launched which involved Maiwut’s Gaat Jaak/Gajaak section. These were intended to resolve internal disputes as well as cross-border conflicts with several neighbouring communities (including parts of the Gaat Jaak/Gajaak section based in Gambella), with one such peace meeting being held in Pagak town (PACT Sudan 2006, p.118; Kennedy 2005).
During the national conflict (2013-2018), the SPLA-IO’s operational headquarters were based in Pagak, in south-east Maiwut. Much of Maiwut’s population aligned with the SPLA-IO, who recruited from the area (Small Arms Survey 2014, p.2). Due to the isolation of the county, Maiwut was not directly affected by the conflict during its early stages. In December 2014 and April 2015, two SPLA-IO conferences were held in Pagak, amid reported tensions between the group’s political and military wings (Young 2015). During the conferences, a number of political positions were discussed, with particular reference to the terms of peace negotiations, and a formal military wing of the SPLA-IO was established.
In July and August 2017, government forces undertook an offensive in south-east Upper Nile that reached Maiwut. During the offensive, Pagak was overrun by the military, though parts of the town were recaptured by the SPLA-IO, leading to further clashes in and around Pagak (UNSC 2017, p.4; Radio Tamazuj 2018). Government forces also seized Maiwut town, though a number of rural areas of the county remained under SPLA-IO control. The UN Human Rights Commission reported allegations of serious human rights abuses in multiple parts of Maiwut County during the offensive, with over 40,000 people displaced to Ethiopia (UN HRC 2018, pp.13-14). In addition to regular SPLA forces, forces under the command of Taban Deng were reported to have been involved in the offensive (UN Panel of Experts 2018, p.8).
Maiwut was also affected by the shift from the 10 states system to the 28/32 states during the second half of the national conflict. After Latjoor State was sub-divided into Latjoor (comprising Ulang and Luakpiny/Nasir counties) and Maiwut State (comprising Longochuk and Maiwut counties), divisions emerged within parts of the Koma community (who are also based in neighbouring Longochuk County) as to whether to remain within Maiwut State or merge with Northern Upper Nile State, which encompassed Maban, Renk, and Melut counties (Eye Radio 2017; Radio Tamazuj 2017a). Following a meeting hosted by the presidency, representatives from the Eastern Jikany Nuer and Koma communities agreed to cooperate in the running of Maiwut State, with the Koma community granted the deputy governorship of the (now defunct) state (Radio Tamazuj 2017b). Since the reversion to 10 states, parts of the Koma community have called for a new county within Upper Nile State to be created to reverse perceived community marginalisation (Eye Radio 2023).
Following the 2018 R-ARCSS, Maiwut was one of several SPLA-IO strongholds to experience further violence linked to military defections. The defection of an SPLA-IO Major General to the government in August 2019 marked an important shift in the security context in the county, exacerbating intra-sectional tensions within the Gaat Jaak/Gajaak section (UN Panel of Experts 2019, pp.25-27; Craze 2020, pp.73-74). The defection is reported to have (in part) been linked to competition over revenues raised at border crossings (Carver and Guok 2022, p.56). Although the defecting group were aligned to the SSPDF, they remained outside of the SSPDF chain of command. The group were involved in further fighting the following December and January, amid reports of militia mobilisation in the area (UN Panel of Experts 2020, pp.46-47). The conflict was also reported to have affected adjoining parts of Ethiopia’s Gambella Region (Carver and Guok 2022, pp.57-58).
In early 2022, Upper Nile State saw an uptick in fighting between the SSPDF and SPLA-IO forces, including in Maiwut County (Sudans Post 2022; Sudan Tribune 2022). The clashes were concentrated in SPLA-IO-controlled areas, including Jikou, from where SPLM/A-IO was dislodged. Fighting spread northeast to the SPLA-IO controlled area of Longochuk, and further clashes were reported in Maiwut County in January 2023 (OCHA 2023).
Since the late July 2023, increasing numbers of South Sudanese refugees have spontaneously returned from Ethiopia amid deteriorating conditions linked to the conflict between parts of the Nuer and Anyuak communities in Gambella, alongside the suspension of food aid. Many of the returnees have either settled or transited through Maiwut County while en route to other parts of Upper Nile (REACH 2024). Additionally, high numbers of returnees fleeing the conflict in Sudan have arrived in Maiwut via road from Renk and Melut counties (IRNA 2023).
Administration & Logistics
Payams listed in Government and UN documents: Kigila/Kigile, Maiwut (County HQ), Jikou/Jekow, Jotoma/Jotome, Maiwut, Olang/Uleng, Pagak
Additional Payams listed by local actors: Wuor, Malek, and Turuu
UN OCHA 2020 map of Maiwut County: https://www.humanitarianresponse.info/sites/www.humanitarianresponse.info/files/documents/files/ss_7106_20200317_un_maiwut_county_map_a3.pdf
Roads:
- A primary road connects Maiwut town southeast through Pagak to Gambela in Ethiopia and northwest to Melut (through Mathiang and Guel-Guk). In the rainy season of 2024 and the dry season of 2025 the road was deemed impassable.
- Additionally, the Jikou/Jekow/Baro River flowing along Maiwut’s southern border at Turuu serves as an important route for riverine traffic, eventually flowing into the Sobat River.
UNHAS-Recognized Heli-Landing-Sites and Airstrips: Maiwut
Other Heli-landing sites and airstrips reported by local actors: Jikou/Jekow (Pilual), Pagak, and Urieng
References
Africa Confidential. (2002). Pals with Pal. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
Coalition for Humanity. (2020) Girls Rights Violations, Protection Assessment, Monitoring and Analysis Report, December 2020. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
Covenant News Service. (2000). Sudan Attack Leaves 26 Dead. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
Craze, J. (2020). The Politics of Numbers: On Security Sector Reform in South Sudan, 2005-2020. LSE. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
Eye Radio. (2017). Koma Community torn between two states of Maiwut & N. Upper Nile. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
Eye Radio. (2023). Koma community begs President Kiir for separate County. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
FAO/WFP. (2019). Special Report: FAO/WFP Crop and Food Security Assessment Mission to South Sudan. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
FEWSNET. (2018). Livelihoods Zone Map and Descriptions for the Republic of South Sudan (Updated). Retrieved 10 July 2023.
FEWSNET. (2019). Risk of farming (IPC phase 5) will persist in 2020 despite slight improvements during harvesting period. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
IRNA. (2023). IRNA Report: Maiwut county, Upper Nile State, 15 August 2023. Not available online.
Johnson, D.H. (1998). ‘The Sudan People’s Liberation Army & the problem of factionalism’, in Clapham, C. (ed.) African Guerillas, pp.53-72. Oxford: James Currey.
Johnson, D.H. (2009). ‘The Nuer Civil Wars’ in Schlee, G. and Watson, E. (eds) Changing Identifications and Alliances in North-East Africa: Sudan, Uganda and the Ethiopia-Sudan Borderlands (Volume 3), 31-48. Oxford: Berghahn Books.
Johnson, D.H. (2010). When Boundaries Become Borders: The impact of boundary-making in Southern Sudan’s frontier zones. Rift Valley Institute.
Kennedy, O. (2005). A Report on the Gajaak Community Peace Conference Held at Pagak Township (Maiwut County) from 13 – 18 March 2005. PACT. Retrieved via Sudan Open Archive 7 January 2024.
OCHA. (2019). Humanitarian Needs Overview: South Sudan 2020. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
OCHA. (2023). Humanitarian Snapshot (January 2023). Retrieved 7 January 2024.
NPA & ROSS. (2016). Food Security and Emergency Markets Mapping and Analysis Assessment. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
Radio Tamazuj. (2017a). Koma citizens demand annexation to Northern Upper Nile state. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
Radio Tamazuj. (2017b). Kiir rejects annexation of Koma to Northern Upper Nile state. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
Radio Tamazuj. (2018). Government, rebels trade accusations over shelling in Pagak. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
REACH. (2024). Humanitarian Situation Overview: Ethiopia – South Sudan Cross-Border Displacement. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
Simonse, S. (1999). Conflicts and peace initiatives within the civil war, 1992-1999 – East Bank Equatoria. Retrieved via Academia.edu 7 January 2024.
Small Arms Survey. (2014). The Conflict in Upper Nile State: Describes events through 9 October 2014. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
Sudans Post. (2022). SSPDF, SPLA-IO clash in Maiwut, southern Unity. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
Sudan Tribune. (2022). S. Sudan rival forces trade accusation over renewed fighting in Upper Nile. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
UN HRC, Human Rights Council. (2018). Report of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan, A/HRC/37/71. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
UN Panel of Experts. (2018). Final report of the Panel of Experts on South Sudan, S/2018/292. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
UN Panel of Experts. (2019). Interim report of the Panel of Experts on South Sudan submitted
pursuant to resolution 2471 (2019), S/2019/897. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
UN Panel of Experts. (2020). Final report of the Panel of Experts on South Sudan submitted pursuant to resolution 2471 (2019), S/2020/342. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
UNSC. (2017). Report of the Secretary-General on South Sudan (covering the period from 2 June to 1 September 2017), S/2017/784. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
Young, J. (2015). A Fractious Rebellion: Inside the SPLM-IO. Small Arms Survey/HSBA. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
Reports on Maiwut
Aqua Africa. (2019). Maiwut South Sudan: Household Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Survey. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
Carver, F. and Guok, D.R. (2022). ‘Maiwut, South Sudan-Ethiopia Border Trade, Local Political Economies and National Conflict’ in Barnes, C. and Shea, N. (eds.) Border Towns, Markets and Conflict. The Asia Foundation, Malcolm H. Kerr Carnegie Middle East Center, and the Rift Valley Institute. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
Craze, J. (2022). The Periphery Cannot Hold: Upper Nile since the Signing of the R-ARCSS. Small Arms Survey/HSBA. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
Hagen, A. (2013). Livelihoods, Land Acquisitions and Legal Pluralism in Maiwut County, South Sudan. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
REACH. (2020). Situation Overview: Upper Nile State, South Sudan January—March 2020. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
Short, A. (2015). Cattle and Pastoralism in Greater Upper Nile Research Report. Retrieved from: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5c6abdec40f0b61a22792fd5/484__Livestock_and_Conflict_in_South_Sudan.pdf
* Note: The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) Population Estimation Survey (PES) was published in April 2023 based on data collected in May-June 2021. This uses a different method to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Population Working Group (PWG) figures produced based on a combination of 2008 census data and population movement data up to 2022. The large discrepancies are primarily attributable to these different methods rather than changes in the actual population numbers over time and have been disputed by some civil society and analysts. Although the later PWG figures were produced more recently for the HNO 2023, at the request of the Government of South Sudan the data and method used by the PES is being used as the basis for the Common Operational Dataset (COD) for the UN system for the HNO 2024 and likely beyond. For further detail on this and other sources used in the county profiles, see the accompanying Methodological Note.
