Rtd. General Joseph Lagu Yanga, a prominent figure in South Sudan's history, passed away on October 27, 2026, in Juba. His death was announced by President Salva Kiir Mayardit, who also declared a national mourning period with the national flag flying at half-mast. General Lagu was a former leader and commander-in-chief of the Former Anya-Anya liberation army, as well as the former Vice President of the Republic of Sudan and former President of the High Executive Council for the Southern Region.
Born on November 21, 1931, in Momokwe, Moli, east of Mojoro village, General Lagu was the son of Yakobo Yanga Lagu and Kaluma Marini of the Beka clan of Bori-Opari. His father was a member of the Kiloloro clan of Moli, which is widely spread throughout the Ma'di land. General Lagu grew up in Nimule and was known for speaking Burulu, a Ma'di language variant, fluently. He and his half-brother, Jabulon Jada, were briefly enrolled in the bush school of Nimule in 1944.
General Lagu's educational journey took him to Akot East of Rumbek, where he attended elementary school with his half-brother. He later joined the Nugent School Loka and sat for the intermediate school leaving examination in 1951. He was admitted to Rumbek Secondary School in 1952 but had to relocate to Khartoum in 1955 due to instability in the South. He passed the Cambridge School Certificate examination in 1956 with distinction and was admitted to the Faculty of Law at Khartoum University.
Instead of pursuing law, General Lagu joined the military academy in Omdurman in 1958 and graduated as an officer cadet in 1960. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant and posted to various army units in Wadi Halfa, Shendi, El Obeid, Juba, and Ikotos. In 1963, he decided to cross over into Uganda to join the rebel movement, which later became the Anya-Nya liberation army. He was promoted to the rank of Colonel and played a crucial role in organizing the force.
After the assassination of Father Saturnino Ohure in 1967, General Lagu reorganized the Anya-Nya force into a single liberation force for Southern Sudan. He brought in friends from Israel who supplied the Anya-Nya with weapons in 1969, strengthening the movement. The Anya-Nya's efforts led to peace talks and the signing of the Addis Ababa Agreement in 1972. General Lagu was promoted to Major General in the Sudan Armed Forces and eventually became the Officer Commanding the First Division of the army in Southern Sudan.
General Lagu retired from the army in 1978 and ventured into politics, winning the position of President of the High Executive Council for the Southern Region of Sudan. He served in this position for two years before being removed by President Jaafar Mohammed Nimeiri in 1980. In 1981, he was appointed assistant secretary general for the Sudanese Socialist Union (SSU) and later became Vice President of the Republic in 1982, a position he held until 1985.
Throughout his life, General Lagu played a significant role in shaping South Sudan's history. As a liberation leader, politician, and military officer, he left a lasting impact on the country. His legacy continues to be celebrated by the people of South Sudan, who mourn his loss and honor his contributions. President Salva Kiir Mayardit's declaration of national mourning is a testament to General Lagu's importance in the country's history.
Key points
- General Lagu's death has been declared a national mourning period by President Salva Kiir Mayardit.
- General Lagu played a crucial role in the Anya-Nya liberation army and the signing of the Addis Ababa Agreement in 1972.
- General Lagu held various positions, including Vice President of the Republic, President of the High Executive Council for the Southern Region, and assistant secretary general for the Sudanese Socialist Union.
