Luka Biong returns to Juba University after 7 years

JUBA – Academic and former government minister Prof. Luka Biong Deng has retuned to the University of Juba’s Center for Peace, Development and Security Studies after seven years since he was ousted on alleged orders of President Salva Kiir.

In October 2015, Biong was dismissed as Director of Center for Peace and Development Studies after he organized a symposium earlier that month to discuss the Establishment Order issued by Kiir to dissolve the ten state governments and their constitutions.

The symposium featured chairman of the defunct SPLM-DC Dr. Lam Akol on the one hand and the chairman of the Dinka Council of Elders and the Presidential Legal Affairs Advisor on the other.

Reportedly, the event got out of hand when students demanded answers from the latter two participants about the decree.

Biong later on fled the country and returned last week and met President Salva Kiir Mayardit along with other learned elders from Abyei about the dispute between the disputed territory and neighboring Warrap State.

In a statement yesterday, Prof. John Akec, the vice-chancellor of the University of Juba said Biong will rejoin the university’s center for peace, development and security studies as a lecturer and will also assist in reviewing the curricula and supervise research students.

“He is reinstated as a Visiting Professor at the Institute of Peace, Development, and Security Studies. Prof Luka will teach, assist in review of the curricula, and supervise research students, among others,” Akec said.