Turalei is a large town and government seat of the Twic County of Warrap State in the Bahr el Ghazal region of South Sudan. The town is the birthplace of many well-known basketball players such as Manute Bol and Ring Ayuel and Liberation fighters as Kerbino Kuanyin Bol, Martin Manyiel Ayuel, Dr Justin Yach Arop and Many other.

Location

Turalei is in Warrap State. It is the gubernatorial headquarters of Twic County. Its location is in Turalei Payam in the north of South Sudan near the border with the Republic of the Sudan and the Abyei Area. This location lies about 834 km by road, northwest of Juba, the capital and largest city in the country.

History

Due to its proximity to the border with the Sudan, Turalei suffered extensive destruction during the Second Sudanese Civil War of 1983 to 2005. Efforts are underway to assist in the rehabilitation of the settlement. Manute Bol was involved in some of those efforts. As a result, a hospital was built in the area. In 2011, as hostilities flared up in neighbouring Abyei, Turalei has received an influx of refugees, who overwhelmed local resources. In June 2011, Turalei itself was attacked by militiamen believed to be affiliated with the Khartoum government. Several fatalities were recorded.

Population

The population of Turalei is not known but estimations are around one hundred thousand. Its population was gathered from the previous bomas which form Turalei payams. These bomas include Ayen-Amuol, Anyiel-Kuac, Nyiel-Abiel, Pandit-Amuol, Mangok-Amuol, Majak-Aher and Kac-Beek payams.

Notable people

Photos