Lango elders give Eling clan two weeks to resolve leadership dispute

2 May 2025, 5:00 pm

By Eman Yonah Oruk

The Office of the Lango Cultural Elders has given the Eling clan two weeks to resolve a leadership dispute between two individuals who both claim to be the rightful head of the clan.

In a meeting held at the Lango Cultural Centre on 30 April 2025, organised by the Council of Elders, discussions were held to address the leadership conflict between Peter Ojok Gece and Alex Ogwal Angulu, both of whom assert their claim to the position of clan head.

The leadership struggles within the Eling clan began in 2023 after the four-year term of their previous clan head, Robert Emuna, expired.

The Council of Elders convened to discuss the delay in holding new elections and to find a resolution.

Reports indicate that in previous meetings, the Council resolved that government civil servants and their children under the age of 60 would not be eligible to contest or be elected as the clan head. Consequently, Peter Ojok Gece was deemed ineligible due to his status as a government civil servant. However, leaders and members of the Eling clan have expressed dissatisfaction with the Council of Elders’ decision, arguing that it is unlawful.

They sought to elect a new clan head through connections with their former clan head, Robert Emuna. This process led to the election of Alex Ogwal Angulu, resulting in a situation where the clan now has two competing clan heads since 2023.

Peter Ojok Gece, a government civil servant, stated before the Council of Elders that he was acting under the authority granted to him by the Council to facilitate the election of a new clan leader. However, as no one else expressed interest in leading the clan, he was appointed without any competition.

Alex Ogwal Angulu, also a government civil servant in the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development, commented that Peter Ojok Gece and his supporters had declared themselves as the clan’s leaders, while Angulu had coordinated with the office of their former clan head, Robert Emuna, which led to the decision to hold an election.

Alfred Omara Olyel, former clan head of Ogora and a member of the Lango Council of Elders, commented that the leadership struggles began after the expiration of the previous clan head’s term. He emphasised that if the Eling clan fails to resolve the dispute and submit a report on its resolution, the Council of Elders will make a final decision to settle the matter.

Rachird Eton, chairperson of the Lango Council of Elders, noted that the Eling clan had contributed two million shillings to efforts aimed at uniting Lango culture. He urged them to resolve the leadership dispute so that the name of the new clan head could be formally recognised by the office of the Paramount Chief of Lango.

In conclusion, Eton stated that the Council of Elders has given the two disputing parties in the Eling clan two weeks to settle the matter. If the issue remains unresolved, the Council will intervene and make a final decision.