JUBA — President Salva Kiir on Thursday awarded an honorary military rank to Israeli veteran David Uri Ben-Uziel, recognising his role in supporting southern Sudanese fighters during the liberation struggle more than five decades ago.
In a ceremony held at the State House in Juba, Kiir conferred upon Ben-Uziel the honorary rank of General in the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and placed him on the army’s non-active list.
The 91-year-old former Israeli military trainer and intelligence operative, widely known by his wartime nom de guerre “John,” worked closely with the Anyanya One movement during the 1960s and 1970s under the leadership of General Joseph Lagu.
According to the Office of the President, the recognition honours Ben-Uziel’s contribution to the southern liberation movement and his role in strengthening relations between the Anyanya fighters and Israel during the early years of the struggle.
“The honorary promotion represents the nation’s appreciation for those who stood with the people of Southern Sudan during their struggle for liberation,” President Kiir said during the ceremony.
Kiir also paid tribute to Israel for its support during the liberation period, saying “the bonds forged in those years remain an important part of the historical relationship between the two nations.”
Historical accounts credit Ben-Uziel with helping facilitate military training and the delivery of essential supplies to the Anyanya movement, including medicines, uniforms, communication equipment and other logistical support.
The presidency said the Israeli veteran travelled extensively across Southern Sudan, often on foot through difficult terrain, to improve coordination among liberation forces and encourage cooperation between commanders and local communities during the formative years of the rebellion.
President Kiir himself served as a liberation fighter during the Anyanya era, making Thursday’s recognition particularly symbolic for the South Sudanese leader.
Addressing the gathering, Ben-Uziel reflected on his years in Southern Sudan and praised the determination of its people.
He said the resilience of the people of Southern Sudan had remained “an enduring source of inspiration” and described it as “a privilege to contribute, in whatever way he could, to their pursuit of freedom and self-determination.”
The ceremony highlighted a little-known chapter in South Sudan’s liberation history, during which Israeli support helped the Anyanya movement sustain its campaign against the Sudanese government.
Ben-Uziel’s recognition comes more than half a century after he first joined the southern fighters and decades after South Sudan achieved independence in 2011.
The presidency said the honour was not only a personal tribute to Gen. John but also a recognition of “a generation of international friends whose support became intertwined with South Sudan’s long road to independence.”
The event underscored the enduring historical ties between South Sudan and Israel, relations that both countries have continued to maintain since South Sudan gained independence.
