South Sudan has declared a period of national mourning following the death of Joseph Lagu, a veteran military commander and politician who played a central role in the country’s long struggle for independence. He was 94. Lagu was a founding member of Anyanya, the armed movement established in 1963 to fight Sudanese government forces. The movement became a major force in the southern Sudanese struggle for greater autonomy and, eventually, independence.
South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in July 2011, following decades of conflict and a referendum in which voters overwhelmingly backed secession. In 1972, Lagu led negotiations that helped end Sudan’s first civil war through the Addis Ababa Agreement, which granted the southern region a measure of autonomy. The conflict had caused extensive loss of life and displacement. Lagu later served as Sudan’s second vice-president and represented the country at the United Nations. Among the soldiers who served under his command was Salva Kiir, who later became South Sudan’s president.
In a statement, Kiir described Lagu as a statesman, military officer, diplomat and influential political figure. He urged South Sudanese to celebrate Lagu’s life, noting that he had lived to witness the birth of the nation for which he fought. In a 2011 interview with AFP, Lagu recalled the movement’s difficult beginnings, saying its fighters had very few weapons and that he personally started with only a machete. He also described seeking foreign assistance to strengthen the rebellion. Lagu’s death marks the passing of a prominent figure in South Sudan’s history, whose military and diplomatic efforts helped shape the country’s path towards self-government. The government’s mourning period will continue until his burial, although the funeral date has not yet been announced.
