South Sudan Mourns Independence Hero Joseph Lagu, Aged 94

South Sudan has declared a period of national mourning following the death of Joseph Lagu, a former rebel leader and statesman who played a pivotal role in the country’s long struggle for independence from Sudan.

Lagu, who was 94, died after a lifetime of military service, diplomacy and political leadership. His death was marked on Wednesday by tributes from President Salva Kiir, who described him as one of the most significant figures in South Sudan’s history.

South Sudan gained independence in 2011 after decades of conflict with Sudan. Lagu was among the early leaders of the armed struggle that helped shape the country’s path towards self-determination.

A Pioneering Figure in the Independence Struggle

Lagu was a founding member of Anyanya, an armed movement established in 1963 to fight the Sudanese government. The group’s name referred to a poison used by hunters to coat their arrows.

Among those who served under Lagu’s command was Salva Kiir, who later became South Sudan’s president.

In an interview with Agence France-Presse (AFP) in 2011, as South Sudan prepared to vote on secession, Lagu recalled the movement’s limited resources at the beginning of its campaign.

“We started fighting for independence empty-handed,” he said, explaining that the group initially had only three rifles. Lagu said he personally carried a machete as his weapon.

He described the early struggle as a fight driven by belief in the cause despite a severe shortage of weapons and other resources.

Role in Ending Sudan’s First Civil War

Lagu’s influence extended beyond the battlefield. In 1972, he led negotiations that brought Sudan’s first civil war to an end and secured regional autonomy for southern Sudan within the country.

The conflict had claimed an estimated 500,000 lives, making the agreement a significant milestone in the region’s history.

Following his military leadership, Lagu held senior public positions, including serving as Sudan’s second vice-president and as the country’s permanent representative to the United Nations.

His career bridged armed resistance, political negotiations and international diplomacy during a defining period in Sudanese and South Sudanese history.

President Kiir Pays Tribute

President Kiir said Lagu’s life deserved to be celebrated alongside the nation’s grief, noting that he had lived to witness the creation of the country for which he fought.

“While his family and the nation mourn his death, I also ask the public to celebrate his life, because he lived to see the birth of a country for which he fought,” Kiir said in a statement.

The president also praised Lagu as a statesman, military officer, diplomat and prominent politician whose contribution placed him among the most consequential figures in South Sudan’s history.

Kiir declared a period of national mourning lasting until Lagu’s burial. Authorities had not announced the funeral date at the time of reporting.

Remembering a Long Struggle for Self-Determination

Lagu’s story reflects the difficult and prolonged struggle that preceded South Sudan’s independence. His recollections of the movement’s early days highlighted the determination of fighters who began with limited equipment and sought support from outside the region.

In the 2011 AFP interview, Lagu recounted how he approached Israel for weapons and later secured support after Sudan backed Egypt during the 1967 Six-Day War.

His death marks the passing of a prominent witness and participant in the events that shaped South Sudan’s modern political identity.

As the country mourns, Lagu’s legacy remains closely tied to the history of resistance, negotiations and the eventual achievement of independence in 2011.