Clarification on False Claims About Oballa Nyigwo and Choul Jock
In recent times, a claim has circulated that Oballa Nyigwo and Choul Jock were in fact the same person. Such a contention is historically inaccurate and merits correction to honor the integrity of our collective heritage. The preservation of accurate history is vital, not only to respect the sacrifices of our ancestors, but also to maintain respectful relations among communities whose pasts converge while remaining distinct.
To begin, Oballa Nyigwo was a distinguished figure from the Anywaa community, remembered for his role during the Battle of Adwa in late 1896 under the leadership of Emperor Menelik II. He was one of the 320 Anywaa warriors who fought courageously against the Italian invasion in defense of Ethiopian sovereignty. His bravery earned him national recognition, including the symbolic honor of a sword from Emperor Menelik II. Through these contributions, Oballa Nyigwo holds a respected place in Ethiopian history as a defender of independence and unity. His legacy remains documented and celebrated as part of Ethiopia’s resistance against colonial aggression.
In contrast, Choul Jock was a member of the Nuer community from Nasir, located in present-day South Sudan, and his story belongs to a significantly later period in history. Community accounts describe him as having been recruited by the Italian colonial forces around 1937–1939, during the Second Italo-Ethiopian War, when Emperor Haile Selassie was in exile. These narratives indicate that he fought alongside the Italian army in 1941 and was ultimately killed at Jakwo, opposing Ethiopian resistance and participating in military operations against groups and individuals who rejected Italian authority, including members of his own community.
Additional testimony shared publicly supports this characterization. On Facebook, Mal TutBor stated:
“Grandpa Chuol Joack Wie did not go to Highland to fight the Italian Fascist Army. He was first with the British army in Sudan. Later, he was stationed at Jekwo post, where he defected to the Italian side stationed in Gambella. So, everything said about him that he fought in Adwa against the Italian fascist army is false. He never set foot in the Highlands. He was killed while fighting against the British near Gambella, where his then-new wife (Wunkuel Khan)’s right hand was shot. They had no child when Granny Chuol Joack was killed.”
(Mal TutBor, Facebook, November 22, 2025)
This statement was posted as a correction to claims circulating online, where my original article was altered by changing the name Oballa Nyigwo to Choul Jock, and Mal TutBor later intervened to correct the misinformation. Unlike Oballa Nyigwo, Choul Jock is not recognized within Ethiopian national historical records as a hero, and his legacy is not associated with national defense or anti-colonial resistance.
The claim circulating that Oballa Nyigwo and Choul Jock were the same individual is therefore misleading and false. It disregards well-documented historical timelines, tribal identities, and ideological differences between the two men. Such a claim not only distorts established historical facts but also disrespects the memory of ancestors who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of this region. Misrepresenting history for personal or political purposes weakens the foundation of communal understanding and risks creating unnecessary division.
It is important to emphasize that correcting this misinformation is not an attempt to foster hostility or conflict between the Anywaa and Nuer communities. On the contrary, it is an affirmation that each community has its own heroes and historical contributions that deserve to be honored truthfully and independently. Preserving accuracy is essential to dignity, respect, and fairness. Rewriting another community’s history for the sake of identity or pride is harmful and unjust.
Historical truth matters. It is our responsibility to uphold honesty, integrity, and factual accuracy so that future generations can learn from a history that reflects reality rather than manipulation. We may hold different perspectives, but we must remain united in rejecting false narratives that distort documented evidence.
Respect to all communities.
Truth must always rise above division.
Long live historical truth!