Tributes to Gen. Atem Aguang – One of the Most Iconic and Heroic Commanders of the Liberation Struggle

Remembering Gen. Atem Aguang Atem-Banyelok: Eulogy and Tributes in Living Memory of Gen. Atem Aguang Atem, One of the Most Iconic and Heroic SPLM/SPLA Commanders of the Liberation Struggle

By PaanLuel Wël, Juba, South Sudan

The body of the late Maj. Gen. Atem Aguang Atem being received at Juba airport by the national army; he passed away in kampala on 27 May 2019 after a short illness

1. Introduction

Friday, September 27, 2019 (PW) – Tomorrow, on Saturday, 28 September 2019, the final funeral rites of Maj. Gen. Atem Aguang Atem Deng, who passed away on May 27, 2019, will be conducted at his home, near Giada Military Hospital and opposite Medan Simba, in Juba, South Sudan. The Late Gen. Atem Aguang Atem-Banyelok was one of the most iconic and heroic commanders of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/SPLA)’s war of the liberation struggle in South Sudan. Gen. Atem Aguang participated in most of the historic and fierce battles that defined, shaped and determined the ultimate success of the liberation struggle, leading to the eventual independence of the Republic of South Sudan on July 9, 2011. For his boundless bravery and immense contributions to the successes of the SPLM/SPLA in the battlefields, he was immortalized, alongside his comrades-in-arm, in one of the most legendary and inspirational songs of the liberation struggle, by the renowned artist, Ustaz Panchol Deng Ajang, one of the greatest musicians of the liberation era: 

Maj. Gen. Atem Aguang Atem

“Atëm Aguang acï thɔ̈ɔ̈rë Parajɔk

Ee Jallab köök cïkë kuath wut

Ku Deng-Madööt atɔ̈u thïn ku Ajak ë Yen

Bïkkë yup cë kä kuath ɣɔ̈k

Dhubɛɛt kuɔ aye mëën

Alueel Yïndïpenden ye wɛɛn Commando One

Kuka lueel Brigade One ye lɛ̈ny Commando Six

Jesh ye riŋ tɔŋ ke ɣou

Ke pam ë thok, athäär ke Dhubɛɛt cie döŋciɛ̈ɛ̈n

Jesh ë Bäny Oyai Deng

Dhubɛɛt kor we cä bë waan

Yïn Daniel Atong, ku Awet Ajing

Döm de Parajɔk ku Awïny

Ciennë jɔ wëi lɔ dhuk

Dunde mɔidït adhiaau

Baŋö jaa looi të jɔl ë keem bɛɛr miööt

Ke Nhialic anhiëër ke dun ëye lɔ̈ŋ

Ye Meerï cool luaak ke cɔ̈t bë lɔ abï dhiaau

Yeeŋö bë ye wëëny ë piny abë tɔ̈u

Ku kuc mandɛ̈ ke cä Atëm bë gam

Ee moi bë wɛɛr roor, adɔ̈ŋ ɣäudheer piny ku tweliib

Ku Dabɛɛb ku agut cä arabiiy ken ke cäth

Chol ë Thɔn athäär cë Chol ë Lual

Dhubɛɛt ke OJS aayï Malual Ayɔɔm

Atëmda athäär ku Deng-Madööt, Macɔk Atëm ku Jɔk Riääk, ku CDR

Tribute to Ustaz Aquila Kelei Madol: The veteran teacher who led and mentored Jesh-Amer in Kakuma, Kenya

Young people who lived in Kakuma Refugee Camp will remember uncle Aquila as a senior teacher, leader, mentor and a wise elder who was supportive of their educational needs even in bad times. The cause of death was a motorcycle’s accident in Uganda while he was processing a visa to Australia to attend the wedding of his son. He was hit by a motorcycle, and was admitted to the hospital with serious injuries that later claimed his life.” South Sudanese Australian Radio journalist, Ajak Deng Chiengkou

By Atem Yaak Atem, Gosford, Australia

Ustaz Aquila Kelei Madol

Sunday, September 8, 2019 (PW) — I have been saddened by the news of the passing of Aquila Kelei Madol. The veteran school teacher lost his life through a road accident this week. Aquila Kelei was my contemporary at Malek Elementary, Atar Intermediate and Rumbek Secondary School, respectively.

In those schools, he was one class ahead of me. A kind and friendly student, Aquila condemned and refrained from bullying, which was a common phenomenon in schools those days.

For example, at Malek, older and stronger students terrorised the younger boys among entrants from what were known as bush schools. The arrivals were dubbed as “New Boys”, and in Atar as “Blue Boys”.

Alfred Taban: A Patriotic South Sudanese Veteran Journalist Who Caught Khartoum Regime by the Horn

By Deng Awur Wenyin, Juba, South Sudan

Alfred Taban Logune, South Sudanese veteran journalist and politician

Monday, July 22, 19 (PW) — President Kiir confirmed the words in the caption of this tribute when he paid his own tribute to the late Alfred Taban. That was in his speech when he was opening the Second Session of the Transitional National Legislature on May 14^th, 2019. Rightly, he described Alfred as “… a hero who fiercely fought the oppressive policies of various regimes in Khartoum using his journalistic skills during the days of our liberation struggle. He will be remembered as a brave freedom fighter whose voice became synonymous with the call for freedom”. Robin White, former editor of the BBC Focus on Africa, felt astonished about the idea that Alfred wrote on the Sudanese politics and wars while in Khartoum. In his tribute White wrote: “Imagine an English journalist reporting from Adolf Hitler’s Germany during the Second World War …”

It was one Sunday in March/April 2019, in the Juba All Saints’ Cathedral – English Main Service and during the intercession, where I learned that Alfred was seriously ill and had been evacuated to Uganda. From then I followed his progress from Rev. Janet Michael, wife of his uncle, Professor Taban lo Liyong. He died on April 27^th, 2019 in Kampala while I was there but didn’t hear of the death till days later when I was in the Entebbe Airport, returning to Juba. I was shocked, I first knew about the late’s name through the Sudanow magazine in the late ‘70s. He joined the magazine after having abandoned the medical school in the University of Khartoum where he was to specialize in medical laboratory. As the Church says, I think he was called to journalism. I used to enjoy his reports and articles in that magazine. In all his writings, he called a spade a spade.

Our Fallen War Hero: Obituary and Tributes to the Patriotic Life of Maj. Gen. Atem Aguang Atem

By Manyuon Dhieu Chol, Kongor, Jonglei State

The body of the late Maj. Gen. Atem Aguang Atem being received at Juba airport by the national army; he passed away in kampala on 27 May 2019 after a short illness

Friday, May 31, 2019 (PW) — It is the saddest and huge blow to our beloved country South Sudan, our national army, South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF), Jonglei State and the Greater Bor Dinka community to lose an icon of liberty, a powerful pillar of freedom, a revolutionist, a bold protector for the marginalized people from the hands of successive oppressive regimes in Khartoum, Maj. Gen. Atem Aguang Atem Deng who fall on Monday, 27/05/2019 in Kampala.

Gen. Atem was a significant commander and a fierce fighter who was cherished by his troops and comrades in arm. The unfortunate demised of Gen. Atem at this critical juncture where our country is at a cross-road in need of peaceful settlement of conflict leading to national stability is a tragedy. Our borders are still being encroached in by neighboring countries, the socio-political and economical institutions still need strengthening and presence of skilled human resources personnel like Gen. Atem.

Maj. Gen. Atem Aguang Atem

The greatest part of his contribution is that he wholeheartedly achieved the missions entrusted upon him. Gen. Atem won many battles against the enemy and most importantly during deadly battles of Pagei, Ashwa Bridge, Parajok, Raja, Kurmuk and Maban.