Akol Miyen Kuol (born in 1974) is a South Sudanese journalist, author and poet. He was born in the oil-rich region of Abyei but currently lives in exile in Kenya.[1] Akol Miyen is known for using poetry to promote peace in his homeland South Sudan.[2] Akol currently works for the BBC as Sudan and South Sudan analyst.[3] In 2016, the BBC threatened to fire Akol after the journalist expressed "disappointment over impediments" in the implementation of a peace deal between the South Sudanese government and rebels, telling warring parties in the country that an "agreement between South Sudanese and South Sudanese will never be a bad peace".[4] An online campaign by Akol, called 'Save the Last Train', inspired artists in Juba to paint murals on walls across the capital to preach peace.[5] Akol launched Save the Last Train campaign at SpiceTalks [6] an initiative of Spice Without Borders[7] in 2016.
Akol Miyen Kuol | |
---|---|
Born | 1974 Abyei |
Occupation | Journalist, author, poet |
Language | English, Arabic, Dinka |
Nationality | South Sudanese |
Years active | 2000 - present |
Children | 3[1] |
Website | |
akolmiyenkuol |
Early life
editAkol fled Abyei in 1978 due to the political instability in the region and went to northern Sudan.[8] He left Sudan in 1993 for Egypt as he did not want to join the Sudanese army because "the government was fighting my own people".[9] Two and a half years later, he moved to Tanzania and then to Kenya in 1999.[2] Akol says his love for his country and Africa inspired him to write poems and has dedicated a collection of poems to former South African President Nelson Mandela.
Publications
edit1. "The Sun Will be Rising' (poem, 2001)
2. "The Last Train" (poem, 2003)
3. "A Case for the Capacity of South Sudanese to Rule Themselves" (analytical book, 2009)
4. "Sudan: Understanding the Oil-Rich Region of Abyei" (analytical book, 2011"
5. "The Obstacles of Creativity in South Sudan" (paper, 1997)
Personal life
editAkol is married and has three children.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c "Home".
- ^ a b Mugume, Davis. "'The Last Train'".
- ^ "Indonesia's Chilli Crisis, The Fifth Floor - BBC World Service".
- ^ "BBC threatens to fire staff over peace advocacy in South Sudan - Radio Tamazuj". Archived from the original on 2017-01-10. Retrieved 2017-01-09.
- ^ "South Sudan artists paint for peace in Juba". BBC News. 25 October 2016.
- ^ "信誉排行最好的(20个)网投网站大全-百度百科".
- ^ "Spice Without Borders | | 2016 | AKOL MIYEN KUOL". spicewithoutborders.org. Archived from the original on 2017-09-13.
- ^ "Know me". Archived from the original on 10 January 2017.
- ^ "Driven by War from His Beloved South Sudan Home, Poet Voices His People's Plea for Peace". 8 July 2015.