Akol Miyen Kuol

Early life Akol fled Abyei in 1978 due to the political instability in the region and went to northern Sudan. 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". Two and a half years later, he moved to Tanzania and then to Kenya in 1999. 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 1. "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 Akol is married and has three children.