The family of General John Duit Yiech Tuach has announced his death in Gambella, Ethiopia. General Duit was a veteran liberation figure and one of the founders of Bilpam, the Anya-Nya II military base established in Ethiopia. He was described as a strategic architect of South Sudan's freedom and a living custodian of the country's liberation history. The family expressed profound sadness at his passing, highlighting his decades of service and commitment to the people.
General Duit played a crucial role in the establishment of Bilpam. In 1975, he was the first Anya-Nya II officer assigned to assess the proposed site for the base. He performed a traditional ritual, sacrificing a sheep to protect the fighters from diseases or poisoning, as the area was suspected to contain toxic substances underground. The base was established after the abrogation of the 1972 Addis Ababa Agreement by Khartoum, prompting a group of Southern Sudanese officers to mutiny and march towards Ethiopia.
The Anya-Nya II movement, led by the late Benson Kuany Latjor, met Ethiopian authorities in Gambella, who directed them to identify a suitable location for their military base. Elder John Dak Lampuar, a church leader, guided them in selecting a site near Nyigol and Puldeng villages, near the Ethiopian border with South Sudan. General Duit's involvement in the establishment of Bilpam marked the beginning of his long military journey, which included various realignments and negotiations with the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA).
Following the establishment of Bilpam, General Duit and other Anya-Nya II leaders became involved in a series of military and political realignments during the liberation struggle. The SPLA dislodged Anya-Nya II forces from Bilpam, leading to leadership disagreements and further divisions. In 1989, agreements were reached for elements of the movement to join the SPLA. However, another major division occurred in 1991 with the Nasir Declaration, led by Dr Riek Machar, further complicating military and political alliances among former Anya-Nya II members.
General Duit remained with the forces led by General Gordon Koang Chuol, known as the South Sudan Defence Forces (SSDF), until 2012. On May 5, 2012, General Duit and his fighters crossed from Blue Nile State in Sudan into Upper Nile State in South Sudan, and the following day, 215 fighters, including General Duit, peacefully joined the SPLA in Adar, Upper Nile State.
General Duit's return to the SPLA in 2012 marked a significant development in his long military career. His death marks the loss of a veteran figure associated with the history of South Sudan's liberation struggle and the establishment of Bilpam. The family and the nation mourn the loss of a strategic leader who dedicated his life to the country's freedom.
General Duit's legacy and contributions to South Sudan's liberation struggle will be remembered for years to come. His role in establishing Bilpam and his subsequent involvement in the country's military and political landscape have left a lasting impact. As the nation pays tribute to his memory, his family and colleagues will cherish his dedication and service to the people of South Sudan.
Key points
- General John Duit Yiech Tuach, a founding member of Bilpam and a liberation icon, has died in Gambella, Ethiopia.
- General Duit played a crucial role in the establishment of Bilpam, performing a traditional ritual to protect the fighters.
- He rejoined the SPLA in 2012, marking a significant development in his long military career.
