Lokichogio | |
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Location of Lokichogio | |
Coordinates: 4°12′N 34°21′E / 4.2°N 34.35°ECoordinates: 4°12′N 34°21′E / 4.2°N 34.35°E | |
Country | Kenya |
Province | Rift Valley Province |
Time zone | EAT (UTC+3) |
Lokichogio (also Lokichoggio or Lokichokio), is a town in the Turkana District, northwest of Kenya (4°12′00″N 34°21′00″E / 4.20000°N 34.35000°E). It is often called Loki for short. The town lies on the A1 road, and is served by the Lokichogio Airport.
It is about 30 kilometers from the international border with South Sudan and hosts the UN offices (part of the Operation Lifeline Sudan program), around 49 NGOs, and a large orthopedic hospital run by the ICRC.
During the war (1983-2005) between what is now Southern Sudan to include Nuba Mountains, South Kordafan Province (technically now in Sudan), Loki was the singular re-supply logistics point for the SPLA. Many flights originated from Loki to re-supply SPLA units in Nuba Mountains under the leadership of Abdel Azziz. IO and NGO's to include support from Uganda, Kenya, USA, Norway (Norwegian People's Aid/NPA) and others were most prominent in supporting the SPLA/M. (Note: "M" or "movement" denotes the political representation of the Sudan People's Liberation Army)
During the interim cease fire in early 2002 in Nuba Mountains, non-lethal logistical supplies were authorized by the government in Sudan at that time, termed the National Islamic Front (NIF) and now termed the National Congress Party (NCP). The only medical facility, as previously mentioned, was in Loki; anyone requiring medical attention had to be flown from Nuba Mountains, near Kauda to Loki.
In one case in early May 2002, a double stacked anti-tank mine(s) detonated just prior to the visit of Abdel Azziz killing two and wounding three other SPLA advisers. According to Randy Hampton, former US Army as an adviser on the ground in Nuba Mountains with the SPLA; one of the injured was Major Tutu, SPLA's higher rankins officers. Major Tutu and two others were air evacuated after stripping the plane of seats; unfortunately, Major Tutu and one other died en route to Loki's ICRC hospital due to lack of blood.