Ngundeng's Stick: Fueling South Sudan's Ethnic War

It's March 30th.

This is Canada News Today, your AI-powered local news.

In South Sudan, a legendary stick called Ngundang Bongs Dang is stirring up the latest violence.

This sacred relic from a prophet in 1878, supposedly some in Thunderbolts in battle.

Now it's at the heart of the few between President Salva Kier, a dinka leader, an opposition

figure Rick Machar, a newer who holds the stick and claims a prophecy naming him the

next president.

The conflict exploded in 2013 when Kier Kier accused Machar of a coup, sparking a civil

war along ethnic lines that killed around 400,000 people.

A 2018 peace deal put Machar back as deputy, but that's fallen apart.

With fighting so bad, authorities are evacuating towns despite Machar.

Being under house arrest for treason, folks on Machar side, especially newer fighters

like the White Army Militia, see the war as fulfilling Ngundang's vision.

Historians compare the dang to a speaker's mace, giving spiritual clout.

Many say the battles are driven by faith, not just politics, with Eastern newer charging

into combat in the prophet's name.

The stick's journey is wild, it passed to Ungadang's son, who got shot trying to use

it on colonial troops, then ended up as a British trophy until A. Historian bought and

returned it to Machar and Juba in 2009 during a big ritual.

Even detained, Machar's influence lingers through the dang's mystique, fueling distrust

ahead of December elections.

What matters most is belief in its power, keeping old hatred alive and peace just out of