Former First Vice President Riek Machar has paid tribute to the late veteran politician Joseph Lagu Yanga, praising his contributions to peace and self-determination in Southern Sudan. Lagu, a retired general and former rebel commander, led the Anyanya movement during Sudan's first civil war and later served in senior government positions, including as Sudan's vice-president. He died in Juba on Tuesday at the age of 94. Machar described Lagu as a selfless leader who was not driven by greed for power.
In a condolence message delivered during a court session on Wednesday, Machar said his detention made it difficult for him to convey his condolences following Lagu's death. He praised the late leader for his leadership and commitment to the welfare of the people. Machar noted that Lagu was a great leader who brought peace and self-determination to Southern Sudan. He also commended Lagu's decision to hand over leadership to someone who had not originally been part of the liberation movement.
Lagu was a prominent figure in Southern Sudan's political and liberation history, particularly for his leadership of the Anyanya movement and his role in the 1972 Addis Ababa Agreement. This agreement ended Sudan's first north-south civil war and granted the southern region regional autonomy. Born on November 21, 1931, in Momokwe, in the Madi area of present-day Eastern Equatoria State, Lagu trained as a military officer before defecting from the Sudanese army in 1963 to join the southern rebellion.
Under Lagu's leadership, the Southern Sudan Liberation Movement negotiated the Addis Ababa Agreement with the government of President Gaafar Nimeiry in 1972. This brought an end to a conflict that had begun in 1955. Following the agreement, Lagu returned to the Sudanese army and rose to the rank of lieutenant-general. He later served as president of the High Executive Council of the autonomous Southern Region from 1978 to 1979.
Lagu also served as Sudan's second vice-president from 1982 to 1985. The Addis Ababa Agreement provided Southern Sudan with a decade of regional self-government. However, Nimeiry abrogated the agreement in 1983, a move that contributed to renewed conflict in the south. Lagu's legacy as a champion of peace and self-determination continues to be celebrated by many in Southern Sudan.
Machar described Lagu as an iconic figure whose dedication to the welfare of the people of South Sudan had secured him a lasting place in the country's history. He remembered Lagu as a true leader known for his dedication to the welfare of the people of South Sudan. Machar concluded by saying that Lagu would always be remembered and that his soul would rest well in peace.
The tributes paid to Lagu reflect his significant contributions to Southern Sudan's history. His leadership and commitment to peace and self-determination have left a lasting impact on the country. As the nation continues to navigate its complex history, Lagu's legacy serves as a reminder of the importance of selfless leadership and dedication to the welfare of the people.
Key points
- Former First Vice President Riek Machar paid tribute to Joseph Lagu Yanga, describing him as an iconic leader whose contributions to peace and self-determination in Southern Sudan would always be remembered.
