Akobo

Akobo is one of the eight woredas in the Gambela Region of Ethiopia. It is named after the Akobo River, which flows westwards then north into the Baro River, defining its border with Sudan. Part of the Administrative Zone 3, Akobo is bordered on the south and west by Sudan, on the northwest by the Alwero River which separates it from Jikawo, and on the southwest by the Administrative Zone 2. Towns in Akobo include Tergol.

The terrain in Akobo is predominantly swampy, with few distinguishing high points; elevations range around 300 meters above sea level. Rivers include the Gilo River. According to the "Atlas of the Ethiopian Rural Economy" published by the Central Statistical Agency (CSA), around 10% of the woreda is forest. [ [http://www.csa.gov.et/text_files/Atlas%20of%20the%20Ethiopian%20Rural%20Economy.pdf "Atlas of the Ethiopian Rural Economy"] , p. 18] The eastern corner is occupied by the Gambela National Park.

The economy of Akobo is predomantly agricultural. There are no agricultural cooperatives, no documented roads, and little other infrastructure. ["Atlas of the Ethiopian Rural Economy", pp. 30f]

Based on figures published by the CSA in 2005, this woreda has an estimated total population of 32,862, of whom 16,473 were males and 16,389 were females; 420 or 1.28% of its population are urban dwellers, which is less than the Zone average of 2%. With an estimated area of 3,830.47 square kilometers, Akobo has an estimated population density of 8.6 people per square kilometer, which is less than the Zone average of 14.74. [ [http://www.csa.gov.et/text_files/2005_national_statistics.htm CSA 2005 National Statistics] , Tables B.3 and B.4] The ethnic composition of this woreda is predominantly Nuer. [ [http://www.who.int/disasters/repo/8684.pdf "Breaking the Cycle of Conflict in Gambella Region"] , p. 2. (PDF file)]

The Baro River entered flood stage 23 August 2006, drowning two people and displacing over 6,000 people in Akobo and adjacent woredas. Authorities were concerned about foot-and-mouth disease afflicting the local livestock following the flooding, as well as epidemics of malaria. [ [http://www.irinnews.org/report.asp?ReportID=55255 "Flooding in Gambella kills two, displaces 6,000"] , accessed 17 October 2006 (IRIN)]

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